Jefry Yan's theatrics energize Mets in extra-inning win over Guardians

Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News on Aug 5, 2026

Published in Baseball

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CLEVELAND — It might have taken Jefry Yan nearly 12 years, four baseball organizations, several odd jobs and a handful of beer league innings to reach the major leagues with the Mets, but make no mistake, he was born to be a Met.

The lefty with the electric fastball and in-game dance moves that resemble the electric slide made his long-awaited big league debut Wednesday night at Progressive Field in the Mets‘ 6-5, 10-inning win over the Cleveland Guardians. Signed at 17 by the Angels, now nearing 30 with the Mets, Yan worked an inning that could only be described as theater.

Entering in the bottom of the sixth with the Mets up 4-3, Yan entered in relief of right-hander Christian Scott to face pinch-hitter Angel Martinez. His first pitch registered at 101 mph. It was ball one, but an impressive one. Yan then blew another fastball past Martinez for strike one, this one at 99.3 mph. He threw two more fastballs as the count worked to 1-2, before finishing off Martinez with a slider.

Then came the theatrics, Yan’s signature strikeout celebration. He leapt in the air, gracefully came down in a half-split, then rose to slide back up to the mound, as if he was a jazz dancer sliding into the next formation.

Guardians fans booed. Maybe it was the strikeout of one of their own, or maybe it was blue-collar Ohioans not into the idea of such a demonstrative celebration.

Patrick Bailey then reached on a single, and Angel Genao did as well. Yan walked Steven Kwan to load the bases. It set up Yan for more cinematic strike throwing.

He struck out Chase DeLauer on a ball in the dirt, prompting Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt to come out and argue with the officiating crew. It also prompted another acrobatic jump. In the end, he got out of the inning, getting Jo Adell with a ground ball. Yan left the field celebrating as if he had just won the World Series. His energy proved infectious, with the dugout jumping up and down while greeting him with a line of high-fives.

It was eventful. It was endearing. It also made you wonder if anyone was going to charge the mound.

The Mets lost the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Dedniel Nuñez gave up two unearned runs, but rallied in the ninth to take two runs off closer Cade Smith, tying the game at 5-5.

Jorge Polanco, who snapped an 0-for-26 streak in the third inning with just his second homer of the season, drove a double off the left-field wall to put runners on second and third with two outs. Marcus Semien walked to load the bases for Smith. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio failed to glove a chopper by A.J. Ewing, and Jared Young came home for the tie.

Bo Bichette drove in Francisco Lindor, the automatic runner, with a single off right-hander Matt Festa in the top of the 10th. Right-hander Daniel Duarte converted the save in the bottom of the inning.

Scott tossed five innings, running into trouble in the fifth. The Guardians took three earned runs off the righty on six hits, walking twice and striking out seven times.

The Mets took four runs off right-hander Tanner Bibee (three earned) over 5 2/3 innings, including back-to-back homers from Brett Baty and Polanco.

Two days post-selloff, the Mets have an infusion of energy thanks to some stellar rookie debuts from Nate Lavender on Tuesday and Yan on Wednesday. Polanco, a well-liked veteran, getting two big hits was a catalyst as well. They might not be playing for the playoffs right now, but the Mets sure are putting the fun back in dysfunctional.