File photo/TheNYExtra.com
On Saturday Night, Brando Nimmo left the ball park not knowing when he would be back playing for the Mets. He had a side strain and went through a battery of tests before the Sunday night game against the Braves. The Mets decided to play it safe starting DJ Stewart in left field leading off in the Met lineup.
As the game progressed Met manager Carlos Mendoza knew he might insert Nimmo in the game as he watched him take plenty of pre-game swings. He decided to use Nimmo as a pinch runner in the 7th inning and left him in the game as the left fielder. Brandon made two excellent defensive plays one twisting that side as he had to twist to grab the ball before hitting the left field wall.
So when the Mets began the bottom of the ninth inning they trailed by a run as AJ Minter, the hard throwing Brave southpaw, was trying to close the game. Jeff McNeil led off the frame with a bunt single and was sacrificed to second base by Tomas Nido as Brandon Nimmo stepped to the plate.
And the Met outfielder who has honestly been the best Met player this season, crushed a 2 run homer to give the team a much needed win over the Braves. Nimmo said after the game, “AJ Minter has been tough on me over the years but I have spent the past few seasons working on hitting left handed pitching and that is the second time I got him this year for a big hit. It is nice to see success when you are working on things to try to get better at the plate.”
The truth of the matter is Nimmo works very hard at his craft—likely as hard as anyone in the sport works on their game. And every single season he has improved an aspect of his game because he cares about his on-field responsibilities. I know some of the “experts” scoffed at the contract he signed a few years ago but the truth of the matter is he deserves every penny of that contract. He is an on-base machine and hits so well in the clutch whether the Mets need a single or a long ball or even a great defensive play.
The offense also got a 2-RBI night from Pete Alonso and 2 big hits from Francisco Lindor which is a great sign for the offense. Luis Severino pitched 5 solid innings and the Met bullpen chipped in with 4 innings of 2-hit ball. Edwin Diaz got the win as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Met avoided getting swept at home by the Braves and have split 6 games wit them so far this season.
Next up is a 4 game series with the Phillies (the first 2 here at Citi and the last 2 in Philly) as Sean Manea will face a red-hot Phillies team that owns the top spot in the NL East. Southpaw Christopher Sanchez will toe the rubber for the Phils and it will be interesting to see if Brandon Nimmo gets the start still nursing that side strain. My guess is you will see the Met star outfielder in the lineup on Monday night at Citi.
