There are some fans out there who believe he may have been the catalyst for his beloved baseball team's current 11-game losing streak, which has led to hizzoner's new title, "Mayor Mambino," courtesy of the New York Post.

"I'll first say that there's a lot of baseball left to be played and I am still keeping the faith, as I know that many Mets fans are across the city, though I will accept being addressed as Mayor Mambino for the day," Mamdani said Tuesday. "I think that this is part and parcel of what it means to be the mayor. You take it in stride."

Here's what the 'Mayor Mambino' hubbub is all about

The mayor's new moniker is, of course, a colorful play on "Curse of the Bambino," a superstitious sports jinx associated with the Boston Red Sox that lasted 86 years due to their selling of Babe Ruth, aka "the Bambino," to the Yankees after they won the World Series in 1918. As a result of the curse, it is alleged, the Red Sox didn't win another championship until 2004.

Back on April 9, with the Mets coming off a loss but still sporting a 7-5 record, Mamdani met and hugged Mr. and Mrs. Met, the team's mascots, before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. The former is, after all, a member of the Mascot Hall of Fame and was once listed as the greatest mascot in all of sports, and his wife has been a mainstay at Shea Stadium and later Citi Field for the last 50 years.

But none of that seemed to matter because the Mets went on to lose that game, 7-1, and haven't sniffed a victory since.

"Ever since that hug, I don't know what's been happening lately, and Citi Field does not deserve what they're getting right now," one Mets fan told CBS News New York on Tuesday.

Just how bad the Mets have been -- by the numbers

The current 11-game slide is the Mets' longest since 2004 and seventh-longest in franchise history.  

The Mets have been abysmal at the plate, scoring just 17 runs in the 10 games since Mamdani embraced Mr. and Mrs. Met, including being shut out three times.

Their current 7-15 record is the second-worst in baseball and they already find themselves 8 1/2 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the NL East, which is not exactly what was expected from a team with the second-highest payroll in Major League Baseball coming into the season.

Hope springs eternal in Mamdaniland

Despite all the doom and gloom in Mets Nation right now, there are still 140 games left to play in the regular season, a point Mamdani emphasized on Tuesday.

"I wear my Mets hat from time to time and I'm going to send all the best wishes to the team," Mamdani said. "You know, I will keep my fingers crossed as every Mets fan does."

The Mets' next chance to get back into the win column is on Tuesday night at home against the Minnesota Twins.

McCollum led a late surge that was almost for naught when he missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds remaining. The Knicks rushed the ball up the court without any timeouts left, but Mikal Bridges missed a jumper as time expired.

The Hawks had trailed the whole second half and were down 12 after three quarters. Atlanta chipped away and a basket by McCollum gave the Hawks a 101-100 lead - their first of the series in the second half - with 2:09 to play. He made another for a three-point lead, and after Jalen Brunson tied it with a 3-pointer, McCollum answered with another jumper to make it 105-103 with 33 seconds to play.

Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points off the bench and Jalen Johnson scored 17, including a basket with 10 seconds left for a four-point lead for the No. 6 seeds, who host Game 3 on Thursday.

Brunson had 29 points for the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns added 18.

The Knicks are trying to reach the second round for a fourth straight season, their longest stretch since the 1991-92 to 1999-2000 seasons, and seemed well on their way.

Towns, who had four points in the first half, scored 14 in the third quarter as the Knicks extended the lead to 78-64. They were still ahead by eight with under five minutes remaining.

But their young players who sparked the Hawks' surge after the All-Star break finally made some plays before McCollum - ignoring profane jeers after he and Jose Alvarado went nose-to-nose and were each given technical fouls in the third quarter - then closed it out.

McCollum was acquired in the January trade for Trae Young, the Hawks star who was a former playoff villain at Madison Square Garden. He filled the role perfectly Monday, outplaying Brunson in the second half and stealing a game that looked lost.

Josh Hart had 15 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for the Knicks.

Beckham worked out with the Giants on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the workout and subsequent physical had not been made public.

The New York Post and NFL Network were first to report Beckham working out for the Giants.

Beckham, now 33, did not play in the NFL last year, when he served a six-game suspension for failing a performance-enhancing drug test. He suited up for nine games with the Miami Dolphins in 2024, making nine catches for 55 yards.

Drafted 12th by the Giants in 2014, Beckham spent his first five professional seasons with them before getting traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019. The top draft pick New York received for Beckham was used on defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who was traded over the weekend to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Beckham's return would provide some much needed depth, given the uncertainty around No. 1 wideout Malik Nabers, who may not be ready for the season opener after tearing the ACL in his right knee on Sept. 28. The Giants also signed free agents Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney and Ryan Miller and brought back Isaiah Hodgins after losing slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson to Tennessee following his 1,000-yard season.

Ryan Weathers (1-2) bounced back from allowing four homers to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday and permitted five hits in 7 1/3 innings for his first win with the Yankees. The left-hander struck out eight and walked one.

Trent Grisham added a three-run homer in the fifth for the Yankees, who went deep nine times in the series and won the final two games by a combined 20-4 margin after their previous five victories were decided in the final at-bat.

After the start was pushed back 2 hours, 45 minutes, Judge gave New York a 2-0 lead against Cole Ragans (0-4) by belting a first-pitch curveball onto the netting above Monument Park in center field. Judge's 425-foot drive was his sixth homer in eight games and fifth in the first inning this season.

Rice batted leadoff for the first time this year and gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead by sending a fastball into the right-field seats for a solo shot. It was his eighth homer, one behind Judge for the team lead, and his third off a left-handed pitcher this season.

Judge and Rice became the third set of Yankees teammates with at least eight homers each through the first 22 games of a season. Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra did it in 1956 before Judge and Anthony Rizzo also achieved the feat in 2022.

Ragans tied a career high by allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings. The left-hander also issued a career-high eight walks and allowed four hits.

Kansas City lost its seventh straight and for the 10th time in 12 games. The Royals also lost their 11th consecutive game to the Yankees since Game 2 of their 2024 AL Division Series.

Salvador Perez was back in Kansas City's lineup after getting a rare day off Saturday and went 0 for 4.

Up next

Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (1-1, 1.48 ERA) opposes RHP Kyle Bradish (1-2, 5.49) in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Orioles on Monday.

Yankees: RHP Luis Gil (0-1, 7.00 ERA) opens a three-game series at rival Boston on Tuesday.

Pinch-hitter Michael Conforto tied it for Chicago in the ninth with an RBI double off closer Devin Williams.

Pete Crow-Armstrong opened the 10th on second as the Cubs' automatic runner. Dansby Swanson fouled off two bunt attempts before Kimbrel (0-1) threw a wild pitch, moving Crow-Armstrong to third.

After Swanson struck out swinging, Hoerner lofted a flyball to right and Crow-Armstrong scored easily.

Caleb Thielbar (1-1) worked a scoreless 10th for Chicago, which posted its season-high fifth straight win.

MJ Melendez homered for New York, which finished with six hits. David Peterson pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings of bulk relief after manager Carlos Mendoza decided to go with Tobias Myers as an opener.

It's the longest losing streak for the Mets since they also dropped 11 in a row from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 in 2004. They have been outscored 62-19 during the slide, and they are averaging just 2.9 runs over 17 games in April.

The Cubs rallied in the ninth against Williams. Ian Happ hit a leadoff single and pinch-runner Scott Kingery scored from first on Conforto's one-out double into the right-field corner against his former team, tying it at 1. Conforto was stranded when Williams struck out Carson Kelly and Crow-Armstrong, both swinging.

Melendez began the fifth with a drive to right-center on a full-count fastball from Javier Assad. It was his first homer since he was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Chicago had at least one baserunner in each of the first seven innings.

Crow-Armstrong hit a leadoff triple in the third, but Peterson retired Swanson on a grounder to third before Hoerner lined to second for an inning-ending double play.

Up next

Mets: Following an off day, RHP Nolan McLean (1-1, 2.28 ERA) starts Tuesday night against Minnesota in the opener of a nine-game homestand. RHP Mick Abel (1-2, 3.98) goes for the Twins.

Cubs: RHP Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63 ERA) starts Monday night in the opener of a four-game series against Philadelphia.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical.

The Giants now have the fifth and 10th picks in the first round. They're heading into their first draft under new coach John Harbaugh after finishing 4-13 last season.

The Bengals paid a hefty price for the 28-year-old Lawrence, who asked for a trade because he wanted a new contract. He's in the middle of a 4-year, $90 million extension signed in 2023.

Barring a trade, it'll be the first time Cincinnati doesn't have a first-round pick since 1989, when the Bengals traded the next-to-last pick in the draft (No. 27) to Atlanta for a second-round pick (No. 35), a fourth (No. 89) and a 10th (No. 256).

The 6-foot-4, 340-pound Lawrence had a career-high nine sacks in 2024, but only registered a half-sack last season. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022-24 and was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2022 and 2023.

The Bengals ranked near the bottom in several defensive categories last season. They were 31st in yards allowed, 30th in points allowed and 30th against the run.

With Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins leading a dynamic offense, improving the defense was a must this offseason. Lawrence gives Cincinnati a proven star in the middle of the defensive line, though the cost was steep.

The Giants will be the 22nd team in the common draft era (since 1967) to have two top 10 picks and fifth in the last five years. They did it in 2022 with Kayvon Thibodeaux (fifth) and Evan Neal (seventh). The Bears took Caleb Williams first and Rome Odunze ninth in 2024. The Texans selected C.J. Stroud second and Will Anderson Jr. third in 2023. The Jets got Sauce Gardner fourth and Garrett Wilson 10th in 2022.

On Tuesday, Giants general manager Joe Schoen said the team was having productive talks with Lawrence's camp.

"We'd like for Dexter to be here, and at some point we'll come to a resolution here, whatever that may be," Schoen said. "We'll see. But conversations have been really good, they've been productive and we'll see what happens here down the road."

But owning two top 10 picks was too good to pass up.

___

AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow and AP Sports Writers Joe Reedy and Stephen Whyno contributed.

OG Anunoby added 18 points and Josh Hart had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks in their first postseason game under Mike Brown after making four trips in five years under Tom Thibodeau, capped by their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2000 last year.

The No. 3 seed in the East again this season hosts Game 2 on Monday night.

CJ McCollum had 26 points and Jalen Johnson added 23 for the Hawks, who went 20-6 after the All-Star break to earn the No. 6 seed.

"We know that they're going to be ready for Game 2," Brunson said. "So quick turnaround and extreme focus."

Brunson, who already owns the Knicks' record with eight 40-point games in the postseason, was almost halfway to another in the first quarter. He made his first six shots and had 19 points as the Knicks led 30-24.

Brunson didn't do as much in the second half, but Towns took over after he was just 1 for 6 for six points at the break.

"We did a great job as a team just fighting and continuing to find ways to score and also impact winning," Towns said.

The teams got off to sizzling starts, with the Knicks opening 8 for 9 and Atlanta 6 for 7, before play slowed to a crawl in the third quarter. McCollum was reviewed for a hostile act and called for a technical foul after kicking his leg up on a jumper into Brunson's groin area, and the Hawks twice intentionally fouled Mitchell Robinson, and the poor foul shooter went 1 for 4.

By the time the Hawks got going again, it was too late.

With the Knicks up by eight, Towns hit a 3-pointer, and after Gabe Vincent's basket, Jordan Clarkson had two buckets and Towns had a three-point play and a 3-pointer for a 10-0 burst that made it 106-87 with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining.

Atlanta ran off 11 straight to cut it to 106-98, but Towns scored to restore the double-digit lead.

"I like the way we came back at the end of the game," Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. "They were resilient in that situation, it was just too little, too late."

Ian Happ also homered for Chicago in its fourth consecutive win. Jameson Taillon (1-1) pitched six crisp innings.

It's the longest losing streak for New York since it dropped 11 in a row from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 in 2004. It has been outscored 60-18 during the slide.

The game was tied at 1 when Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta (1-2) issued two consecutive walks with two down in the sixth. Peralta then was replaced by left-hander Brooks Raley, and Kelly was sent up to hit for Moisés Ballesteros, a rookie who bats from the left side.

Kelly drove Raley's first pitch into the bleachers in left-center for his second homer of the season, sending a charge through the crowd of 36,189. It was Kelly's second career pinch-hit drive.

It also was the first homer allowed by Raley since Aug. 13, 2023, stopping a streak of 53 2/3 innings.

Mark Vientos homered for New York. Francisco Lindor and Luis Robert Jr. each had two hits.

The Mets scored an unearned run on second baseman Nico Hoerner's throwing error in the eighth, but Ben Brown escaped the jam when Vientos grounded out.

Caleb Thielbar handled the ninth for his first save of the season. Daniel Palencia, Chicago's usual closer, was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a left oblique strain.

New York jumped in front on Vientos' 434-foot drive to left-center in the second. He went 1 for 25 with eight strikeouts and no walks in his previous eight games.

Happ responded with a leadoff shot in the bottom half, a 431-foot drive to center. Happ also went deep during Chicago's 12-4 victory in the series opener.

Up next

Tobias Myers (0-1, 3.46 ERA) starts the series finale for New York, and fellow right-hander Javier Assad (1-1, 8.10 ERA) pitches for Chicago on Sunday. David Peterson had been slated to start for the Mets, and the team did not immediately announce a reason for the change.

Charlotte (4-2-2) lost 2-1 to Nashville last time out to snap a four-game unbeaten streak.

NYCFC (3-3-2), which is winless in four straight, had 57% possession and outshot Charlotte 23-8.

Matt Freese had two saves for New York City.

New York City had 10 shots before Charlotte attempted its first when Toklomati poked home a first-touch finish from just outside the 6-yard box to open the scoring in the 54th minute.

Vargas took a cross from Pep Biel and slipped a shot from the edge the penalty area inside the left post to make it 2-0 in the 90th minute.

Nicolas Fernandez scored a goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

Montreal (2-6-0) finished off a season sweep of New York (3-3-2) and snapped its losing streak at four in the club's first match under interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy after Marco Donadel was fired April 12.

Owusu also scored on a PK in Montreal's 3-0 road win over the Red Bulls on March 8. Wiki Carmona, out with an injury, had the other two goals.

Montreal jumped in front in the 5th minute of this one when Victor Loturi used an assist from Owusu to score his first goal. Loturi had two goals last season as a rookie.

Owusu made it 2-0 in the 39th minute after a foul on Dylan Nealis led to the PK.

Owusu and rookie Noah Streit had assists on a goal by Matty Longstaff — his first — four minutes into the second half for a three-goal advantage. Longstaff's other two goals came in 49 appearances with Toronto. Streit's helper was his first.

An own goal by Longstaff in the 53rd minute cut it to 3-1.

Kwadwo Opoku netted his first goal of the campaign — unassisted in the 77th minute to cap the scoring. Opoku subbed in for Streit in the 58th.

Owusu has five goals and three assists this year after career highs of 13 goals and five assists last season — his first with the club. Owusu had nine goals without an assist in 37 appearances with Toronto before joining Montreal.

Thomas Gillier finished with one save for Toronto in his 16th career start. His first and only clean sheet came in the first matchup with the Red Bulls.

Rookie Ethan Horvath saved two shots for New York.

It was a milestone victory for Montreal — now 100-66-37 all time at Stade Saputo.

Up next

New York: Hosts D.C. United on Wednesday.

Montreal: Hosts New York City FC on Saturday.

New York starter Will Warren (2-0) tied a career high with 11 strikeouts and pitched two-run ball for seven innings.

Bellinger hit a two-run shot during a five-run third off Noah Cameron (1-1) and powered New York to its most lopsided victory this season. Bellinger hit a two-run homer off Mitch Spence in the sixth after contributing an RBI single in the fourth.

Bellinger had his 20th career multi-homer game and the Yankees hit four homers for the second time this season.

Bellinger sandwiched his first homer between a two-run drive by Amed Rosario and a solo homer by Ben Rice as the Yankees capitalized on a three-base error by center fielder Kyle Isbel on a flyball by J.C. Escarra.

Isbel knocked the ball out of right fielder Jac Caglianone's glove as they converged near the warning track and the Yankees followed with their power display against the left-hander.

Batting leadoff for the second time this season, Rosario sent a cutter into the right field seats. Following a walk by Aaron Judge, Bellinger hit a first-pitch slider into the second deck in right field for a 4-0 lead.

Two batters later, Rice homered for the third straight game by hitting Cameron's fastball into the right field seats.

Escarra added an RBI double and a two-run triple in the seventh. Rosario also had an RBI single before Bellinger connected again. Randal Grichuk drove in his first run as a Yankee with a late sacrifice fly.

Cameron was rocked for a career-high seven runs — five earned — and seven hits in four innings.

Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer in the seventh as the Royals lost their sixth straight and for the ninth time in 11 games. Kansas City also lost its 10th straight game to the Yankees since Game 2 of the 2024 ALDS.

Before Cameron threw a pitch, Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected by second base umpire Nestor Ceja.

Up Next

Kansas City LHP Cole Ragans (0-3, 3.78 ERA) opposes New York LHP Ryan Weathers (0-2, 4.29) in Sunday's series finale.

NJ Transit officials announced Friday that only 40,000 $150 round-trip tickets will be sold to transport fans to each FIFA World Cup game.

NJ Transit President Kris Kolluri said no more tickets will be sold after the 40,000 are gone. They will go on sale starting next month.

NJ Transit expects 28,000 fans will head from New York City to Secaucus before switching trains to the Meadowlands. There will be security checkpoints at Penn Station, Secaucus, and MetLife. 

Kolluri said customers will be able to choose certain blocks of time in which their tickets can be used.

There will also be shuttle buses, because there will be no parking allowed at MetLife Stadium, which has been temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup. 

Shuttle bus tickets will cost $80 and are on sale starting Friday. They hope to move an additional 10,000 ticket holders to the stadium. 

"We'll be running shuttles from Port Authority and east of Grand Central, and also a park-and-ride from New Jersey from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine," Alex Lasry of the FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey host committee said. 

Transportation officials also said there will be a ride-share pickup at Meadowlands Racetrack, which is expected to take some 6,000 fans to the stadium. Fans will then have to walk about 1 mile to the stadium.

Why NJ Transit says the tickets are so expensive

Kolluri said the $150 ticket can be used from any location. A normal round-trip ticket from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium costs $12.90.

Kolluri said that's the reason tickets will cost so much more. 

"Commuters in New Jersey should not carry the cost years into the future for this wonderful event, but the fans going to the game should bear the burden of the cost," Kolluri said. 

Kolluri estimated the overall cost to NJ Transit will be $62 million. He said the federal government is contributing $10.6 million, and the host committee is giving just over $3 million, which leaves NJ Transit footing the bill for $48 million with no help from FIFA. 

"I can't tell you how important security as an expenditure is. Out of the $48 million, I want to say that almost $11 million is just security. That's not what happens at a Taylor Swift concert," Kolluri said. 

New Jersey State Police officials said people attending the game will go through a magnetometer, like they would if they attended a football game. 

Authorities said FIFA's original deal required free transportation, but it was revised in 2023. 

"The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect.  Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup," said Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer for FIFA World Cup 2026.

Fans living in the city must use Penn Station for rail travel to the stadium on matchdays, according to a news release.

The only way to and from the games will be mass transit, ride shares, chartered buses and parking, which will cost $225 at the nearby American Dream Mall. Walking to MetLife Stadium is prohibited, since many roads nearby are not pedestrian-friendly.   

Sources also previously told CBS News New York Penn Station will partially close for four hours before each match, adding to the transportation headache. 

Local leaders criticize FIFA

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has slammed FIFA for exorbitant transportation costs for fans.   

"We know that this event will deliver real economic benefits for our communities and businesses. At the same time, hosting cannot come at the expense of New Jersey commuters and taxpayers," Sherrill said Friday. "We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won't, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ Transit every day."   

Sherrill said she's directed NJ Transit to provide discounts for riders who will be impacted by FIFA World Cup games on June 22 and June 30, and says PATH will cross-honor tickets and provide additional service during those times. 

"This is about striking the right balance. We will showcase New Jersey on the world stage while protecting our residents, supporting our workforce, and making sure the economic upside of this event is felt in communities across our state," Sherrill added.   

"Give me a break. Charging more than eleven times the normal fare for a train ride is a ripoff — plain and simple. FIFA is making billions from this World Cup, and fans are being hit with a $150 ticket before they even walk through the gate. FIFA should cover the ride — not stick fans with the bill," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. 

"Hosting the World Cup final is an exciting opportunity for New York and New Jersey to showcase ourselves to the world. NJ Transit and the FIFA Host Committee have created a comprehensive plan to deliver the best possible travel experience for fans, but everyday riders can't be asked to foot the bill," said Tom Wright, president of the Regional Plan Association. "Governor Sherrill is right that the cost of special event service should be borne by FIFA or the people attending the event, not by commuters just trying to get to work. Even with the special event fare, NJ Transit remains one of the most affordable and efficient ways to get to the game."

FIFA criticizes "arbitrarily set elevated prices"

"To arbitrarily set elevated prices and demand FIFA absorb these costs is unprecedented. No other global event, concert or major sporting promoter has faced such a demand," Schirgi said.  "While FIFA is projected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit, as the governor incorrectly claims, FIFA has always been a not-for-profit organization as per our statutes. Revenues from the FIFA World Cup are reinvested into developing the game of football, particularly for youth and women, worldwide."

Schirgi said other host cities have made arrangements for mass rail tickets to cost $2.50 for a round trip. 

Ben Rice also hit a two-run homer and the Yankees got another strong start from Cam Schlittler in winning their ninth consecutive game against Kansas City, including a playoff series two years ago.

New York is 15-3 versus the Royals since the start of 2024.

Vinnie Pasquantino launched a tying homer in the top of the eighth and drove in both runs for the Royals (7-13), who have dropped five straight and eight of 10. The first four losses during their skid were all by one run.

Michael Wacha tossed six solid innings for Kansas City in a matchup between two of baseball's most dominant pitchers early this year.

With the score tied 2-all, Rice singled off reliever Alex Lange (0-1) with two outs in the eighth. McMahon, who entered on defense at third base in the top of the inning, lofted a 2-1 changeup 372 feet the other way to left field, and the ball appeared to get a push from the wind as it cleared the fence.

It was the first extra-base hit this season for McMahon, who began the night batting .119 (5 for 42) with two RBIs. Even against a right-handed starter, he was left out of the starting lineup by manager Aaron Boone in favor of right-handed-hitter Amed Rosario.

David Bednar struck out two in a hitless ninth for his sixth save.

Pasquantino homered to the short porch in right field on a 97 mph sinker from winner Camilo Doval (1-0) with two outs in the eighth. The solo shot was Pasquantino's second homer this season — both in the past two days.

Cody Bellinger singled leading off the fourth and, one out later, Rice reached down and lined a 1-1 pitch 364 feet into the right-field stands.

Hitters had been 0 for 19 this season against Wacha's changeup before Rice connected for his sixth homer.

Up next

Royals LHP Noah Cameron (1-0, 3.94 ERA) faces RHP Will Warren (1-0, 2.45) in the middle game of the series Saturday afternoon.

The Mets' skid is their worst since the 2004 team dropped 11 straight. They've been outscored 56-16 during the streak.

Chicago scored in double digits for the third straight game and major league-leading fourth time this season.

Ballesteros made it 4-0 in the first with a three-run homer.

Hoerner had three hits and drove in two runs after setting a career high with five RBIs in Wednesday's 11-2 win at Philadelphia. His two-run shot in the second against Kodai Senga (0-3) made it 6-3. The two-time Gold Glove second baseman also made a diving stop to rob Bo Bichette of a hit in the fifth.

Happ added a two-run drive in the eighth.

Edward Cabrera (2-0) went six innings, allowing three runs and eight hits, as the Cubs rolled to their third straight win.

Senga got tagged for seven runs in his second straight start.

The Japanese right-hander gave up six earned to go with six hits in 3 1/3 innings after lasting just 2 1/3 in a loss to the Athletics last week. His ERA through four starts is 8.83.

After outscoring Philadelphia by a combined 21-6 in their previous two games, the Cubs jumped on Senga.

Seiya Suzuki singled in a run in the first and Ballesteros made it 4-0 when he drove the next pitch to the left-field basket.

The Mets cut it to 4-3 in the second on an RBI double by Marcus Semien and two-run single by Tyrone Taylor off the center-field wall. Taylor got thrown out at second by Pete Crow-Armstrong.

The series continues with the Mets sending RHP Freddy Peralta (1-1, 3.86 ERA) to the mound and the Cubs going with RHP Jameson Taillon (0-1, 4.86).

Trout, who recently made a mechanical adjustment, went 6 for 16 with five homers and nine RBIs in the series. Trout hit his latest homer with one out in the seventh inning when he sent a 2-2 slider from reliever Angel Chivilli about halfway up the left field bleachers for a 7-4 lead.

Trout homered in his fifth straight game at Yankee Stadium and became the fourth to hit five homers in a series against the Yankees. The others were Jimmie Foxx (1933), Darrell Evans (1985) and George Bell (1990), according to MLB researcher Sarah Langs.

Trout's latest homer contributed to a rare loss for the Yankees when Judge and Giancarlo Stanton homer in the same game. Including the postseason, New York is 53-8 when the duo both connect.

Jo Adell added a grand slam in the eighth for the Angels, who lead the AL with 32 homers.

Judge hit his 89th career first-inning homer and Stanton hit a two-run shot to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the fourth before the Angels scored four runs in the sixth off Max Fried (2-1) and Fernando Cruz. Ben Rice also homered in the sixth.

Trout walked three times and scored the tying run in a four-run sixth on a double by former Yankee Oswald Peraza, who also hit a two-run homer in the first.

Vaughn Grissom hit a go-ahead RBI single, and Josh Lowe hit a two-run single for a 6-3 lead.

The Yankees lost for the seventh time in nine games and Fried allowed five runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Manager Aaron Boone was ejected for the first time this season after New York batted in the eighth.

Brent Suter opened the game and went two-plus innings. Sam Aldegheri (1-0) allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings.

Up Next

Angels: José Soriano (4-0, 0.33 ERA), the AL leader in wins, starts the opener of a three-game series at home against the Padres on Friday.

Yankees: RHP Cam Schlittler (2-1, 2.49) opposes Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (2-0, 0.43) in the opener of a three-game series Friday night.

Sherrill said they should pay for public transit to the matches, but FIFA says not so fast. 

Sources tell CBS News New York a roundtrip ticket to MetLife stadium from New York Penn Station for the games will be at least $100. Those same tickets usually cost $12.90. 

In addition, there will be no parking allowed at MetLife Stadium during games there. 

The only way to and from the games will be mass transit, ride shares, chartered buses and parking - which will cost $225 - at the nearby American Dream Mall. Walking to MetLife stadium is prohibited, since many roads nearby are not pedestrian-friendly.   

The full transit ticket pricing and parking plan is expected to be released Friday. 

"FIFA is making $11 billion off this World Cup," Sherill said. "FIFA should pay for the rides, but if not, I'm not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one." 

"New Jerseyans shouldn't be stuck with that bill"

The cost of the various commuting options has raised eyebrows, and Sherrill again spoke out about it Thursday. 

"To recap: Our administration inherited an agreement where FIFA contributes $0 toward transportation for the World Cup – while also eliminating parking at MetLife Stadium. Except for premium parking, where FIFA is charging over $200 per spot," Sherrill posted on social media. "As a result, NJ Transit must carry four times the usual ridership for events at the venue, at a cost of $48 million. New Jerseyans shouldn't be stuck with that bill while FIFA makes $11 billion in profits.

"FIFA is charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket to the final. They're charging over $200 for 'premium' parking at the American Dream Mall – while eliminating parking at MetLife Stadium. They're set to make $11 billion off of the World Cup overall. But New Jerseyans should foot a $48 million bill for transportation costs? Not happening," Sherrill added. 

FIFA responds

FIFA responded to Sherrill's remarks, saying the organization is "quite surprised." 

"The original FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches," a FIFA spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson went on to say FIFA adjusted its agreement in 2023 due to the financial strain that 2018 agreement placed on host cities. FIFA pointed out that the "World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with the related economic impact."

"Moreover, FIFA has worked for years with host cities on their transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation," a FIFA spokesperson said. "FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at [MetLife] Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation."

"Really, FIFA is making out like a bandit with all this, so it makes sense for FIFA to chip in for the infrastructure here they're using," New Jersey resident Vinay Madheggiri said. 

"FIFA should pitch in. Prices are high anyway," New Jersey residennt Uri Geva said. 

Earlier in the week, Gov. Kathy Hochul also took issue with the potential price of the train ticket.

"The World Cup should be as affordable and accessible as possible. Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me. That's not happening on the MTA," Hochul posted on social media. 

That's not the only complication for commuters during the World Cup. A source previously told CBS News New York Penn Station will partially close for four hours before each match. Only trains between Penn Station and Secaucus Junction will be running at that time, the source said. 

The fundraiser — shown on the scoreboard during Tuesday's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes — featured a photo of Erik Duran, who was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison for causing the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey.

It included a QR code for direct donations to Duran's legal defense, along with a message from his union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, requesting fans join "the fight for justice." The team also said it would direct a quarter of proceeds from a 50/50 raffle toward the cause, the union said.

The union's president, Vincent Vallelong, said the fundraiser came together after someone at The New York Post informed him that the Islanders "wanted to do something" for Duran.

A spokesperson for the Islanders declined to comment. An emailed inquiry to The Post was not returned.

An attorney for Duprey's family, Jon Roberts, said they were "deeply troubled by the decision of the New York Islanders to align themselves, even symbolically, with efforts that appear to support Sgt. Duran's legal defense."

"This was not a neutral act," Roberts' statement continued. "It sends a message — intended or not — that risks undermining public confidence in a fair legal process and deepens the pain of a family still grieving."

The NHL did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

Duprey's death came as Duran and other narcotics officers were carrying out an undercover drug bust in the Bronx in 2023.

Surveillance footage showed Duran lifting a bystander's cooler full of drinks and ice and throwing it at Duprey as he attempted to flee on a motorized scooter. The impact of the cooler caused him to crash into a tree, and he died almost instantly.

The former sergeant's conviction in February drew fierce protests from police officers and their supporters, who argued it would discourage officers from doing their jobs and hurt public safety. It is the first time in at least two decades that an NYPD officer will spend time in prison for an on-duty death. His attorney has said he will appeal the sentence.

Vallelong, the union president, said the chance to raise money for Duran at a professional hockey game "came out of left field."

Photographs published by The New York Post show Vallelong posing with the Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky and newspaper executive Pat Judge inside the team's stadium, which is on Long Island.

Vallelong said "the arena blew up into applause" when Duran's photograph appeared on the video screen. He dismissed criticism of the hockey team's decision to solicit donations.

"They're a private organization. They can do whatever they want," he said of the Islanders, likening the promotion to celebrations of the military common in professional sports.

Vallelong declined to say how much money was raised for the legal defense fund. The 50/50 raffle took in $44,890, according to the Islander's website.

___

Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

Dalton Rushing, who replaced Ohtani as designated hitter, hit his first career grand slam off Mets closer Devin Williams in the eighth. Kyle Tucker added a two-out solo shot — his first at home as a Dodger — off Austin Warren, making it 8-1.

Ohtani (2-0) had tossed 33 consecutive innings without an earned run before MJ Melendez's RBI double in the fifth trimmed New York's deficit to 2-1. It was his first earned run allowed since Aug. 27 against Cincinnati.

Ohtani wasn't in the batting lineup during a mound start for the first time since May 28, 2021, with the Los Angeles Angels. Manager Dave Roberts said it was because Ohtani was still sore after getting hit in the back of his right shoulder by Mets pitcher David Peterson on Monday.

Ohtani's strikeouts were a season high by a Dodgers pitcher. He twice fanned Francisco Lindor in a battle of All-Stars. The second time, Lindor laughed as Ohtani blew a 99 mph fastball past him on his 11th and last pitch to end the third. Ohtani smiled wryly.

Ohtani walked two on 95 pitches, 63 for strikes. He struck out the side in the sixth to end his outing. Ohtani had 22 swing and misses, his most with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers (14-4) swept the Mets at home for the first time since June 19-22, 2017. Along with sweeps of Arizona and Washington, the Dodgers are 9-0 against National League opponents this season.

The Dodgers led 2-0 on Hyeseong Kim's two-run homer off Mets starter Clay Holmes (2-2) in the second. Teoscar Hernández added an opposite field solo shot leading off the sixth against reliever Tobias Myers.

The Mets managed five hits playing their 11th game without injured slugger Juan Soto (calf). They were outscored 14-4 in the series.

Melendez was the only Met with any success against Ohtani, going 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles after being called up from Triple-A Wednesday.

The Dodgers improved to 18-4 on Jackie Robinson Day — best mark in the majors — since MLB first declared a special day in 2004 for the player who broke baseball's color barrier in 1947 with Brooklyn.

Up next

Mets RHP Kodai Senga (0-2, 7.07 ERA) starts Friday against Chicago Cubs RHP Edward Cabrera (1-0, 1.62). Also Friday, Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 4.00) starts at Colorado against Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 2.16).

Aaron Judge hit his third homer of the series and Trent Grisham had a two-run single for the Yankees, who won for only the second time in eight games following an 8-2 start.

Mike Trout hit his fourth homer in three games, putting the Angels ahead 4-3 with a two-run drive in the fifth.

That was still the score when Jazz Chisholm Jr. popped up to the left side with one out and nobody on in the ninth. But shortstop Zach Neto and ex-Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza miscommunicated, and the ball dropped right between them on the infield dirt for a gift single as Neto put his hands on his head.

That came back to bite the Angels, who had played outstanding defense all night to that point.

Austin Wells worked a full-count walk against closer Jordan Romano (0-2), and both runners were attempting to steal when Caballero lined a 1-2 slider into left-center.

Chisholm easily scored the tying run and third-base coach Luis Rojas aggressively waved Wells home. The catcher barely beat Neto's relay throw to the plate with a feetfirst slide, and the safe call was confirmed after a replay review.

It was the second blown save and loss in the series for Romano, who squandered a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Monday night's 11-10 defeat.

David Bednar (1-2) struck out two in a perfect inning for the win, helped by a fine defensive play at shortstop from Caballero.

Adam Frazier and Logan O'Hoppe each hit a solo homer off Yankees starter Luis Gil to help the Angels erase an early 3-0 deficit. It was the first home run at Yankee Stadium for O'Hoppe, who grew up about 45 miles away on Long Island.

Judge sent an opposite-field solo shot to right in the first for his seventh home run this season and fourth in four games.

Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and four walks with six strikeouts.

After the game, manager Aaron Boone said Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, coming back from Tommy John surgery, will make his first minor league rehab start Friday for Double-A Somerset.

Up next

Yankees ace Max Fried (2-0, 1.93 ERA) pitches Thursday afternoon in the finale of the four-game series. Los Angeles was undecided on a scheduled starter.