The New York Yankees gained a crucial victory against the New York Mets, winning 6-4, amidst controversial umpiring decisions that left Mets manager Carlos Mendoza frustrated. The decisive moment came in the ninth inning as pinch-hitter Luis Torrens faced a questionable strike call from home plate umpire John Bacon that ended the at-bat prematurely. This was not the only contentious call, as Mendoza cited earlier decisions affecting Juan Soto's at-bat as well.

The Yankees showcased their offensive strength, out-hitting the Mets 12-10 and hitting two home runs, one from Aaron Judge and another from Austin Wells. This victory is particularly vital as the teams head into the final stretches of the season, with the Mets preparing for road games against the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals.

The New York Yankees have traded catcher Alex Jackson to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for international bonus pool money and potentially cash or a player yet to be named. While this move seems minor, it highlights the Yankees' remarkable ability to develop catchers who later excel with other teams. Jackson, who previously was in the Yankees’ system but did not emerge as a regular, has worked under catching coordinator Tanner Swanson, who has successfully molded players like Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka into significant contributors.

This trade adds to a growing list of former Yankees catchers thriving in the league, with Trevino now starting for the Cincinnati Reds and Higashioka maintaining a steady role with the Texas Rangers. Luis Torrens has secured a position with the Mets and is known for his impressive caught-stealing rate and solid framing. Even Red Sox manager Alex Cora has acknowledged that the Yankees excel in producing quality catchers. Swanson’s techniques have transformed several players, demonstrating how the Yankees cultivate talent, even if they do not stay in New York.

The New York Mets faced another crushing defeat, losing 12-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking their 13th loss in 16 games. Starting pitcher Frankie Montas struggled significantly, allowing back-to-back home runs in the first inning by Oneil Cruz and Tommy Pham, a double whammy that set the tone for the game. Despite a brief glimmer of hope with a solo home run from Luis Torrens, the Mets' offense was stagnant, with only seven hits and failure to capitalize in critical moments, going hitless with runners in scoring positions. This game capped a disastrous series for the Mets, who were outscored 30-4 over three games. With the team’s morale at an all-time low, they will have a rest day before facing the Milwaukee Brewers.

The New York Mets have sent catcher Francisco Alvarez to Triple-A Syracuse in a surprising move following a recent offensive showing. Despite hitting a majestic 452-foot homer in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Alvarez's overall performance this season has been underwhelming, marked by a mere .236 batting average and a .652 OPS through 35 games. This decision comes after he was activated from the injured list earlier in the season and missed games due to personal reasons. In his absence, Hayden Senger has been called up to serve as backup to Luis Torrens, who will take over as the primary catcher for the Mets.

Alvarez's rookie season last year was impressive, with 25 homers and a .721 OPS, but he has struggled to replicate that success this year. The Mets are currently in a tight race at the top of the NL East, sharing the position with the Phillies. This demotion may serve as a wake-up call for Alvarez as he looks to regain his form and return to the big leagues.

Francisco Alvarez, the young catcher touted as the New York Mets' future, has been demoted to the Syracuse Mets after struggling this season. His performance in the majors saw him post a lackluster .236 batting average with only three home runs and 11 RBIs in 35 games, alongside a concerning 38 strikeouts. In his absence, Luis Torrens, who began the season as the No. 1 catcher, will take over primary duties, although his own stats reflect a similar struggle with a .232 average. The Mets will also be calling up Hayden Senger, known for his defensive skills but limited hitting ability.

This demotion comes after a disappointing stretch for Alvarez, who showed promise in the previous seasons with 25 home runs in 2023 and a .437 slugging percentage. However, he struggled mightily upon returning from an injury that sidelined him earlier in the season. This shift in the Mets' roster coincides with a crucial moment in the standings as they are tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the division lead.