Brandon Nimmo's return to the field proved pivotal for the New York Mets as they secured a 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals, marking their second consecutive extra-innings win. Nimmo, who had a scare earlier in the week, showcased his resilience and skill to help guide his team to victory.
Nimmo's Crucial RBI and Personal Struggles
In the eighth inning, the Mets needed a spark, and Nimmo delivered. He drove in Francisco Lindor with a crucial RBI single that tied the game, setting the stage for the Mets' eventual triumph. Reflecting on the moment, Nimmo expressed his joy: "Really enjoying the moments tonight ... getting the big hits, just soak them in because not every day's like that."
Nimmo's week had been far from ordinary. He fainted in his hotel room on Sunday night, resulting in a fall that cut his forehead. The incident provided him with a fresh perspective: "When things like this happen, it's a fresh perspective on being able to play this game and being able to play it at this level on a daily basis. When it's taken away from you briefly, you realize just how special it is, and you start to enjoy the little things a little bit more."
Contributions from the Team
The Mets' victory was a collective effort. José Iglesias delivered a critical double to push the Mets ahead, while Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor added firepower with home runs in the sixth inning—Alonso's 18th and Lindor's 14th of the season.
On the mound, DJ Herz continued to make his mark. Herz struck out ten batters over 5 2/3 innings, joining elite company. He became one of the few pitchers since 1901, alongside Stephen Strasburg, to achieve two 10-strikeout, no-walk games in their first six major league starts. Herz remained humble about his accomplishments: "I'm just going out there and pitching. I just want to get deep into games and put these guys in the best situation to win. It's cool to hear all that stuff that comes with it, but I'm just trying to go out there and do what's best for my team."
Jose Butto and Sean Manaea provided valuable relief pitching. Butto allowed just one hit over his two innings of work, while Manaea allowed just one earned run and struck out five in seven innings. Reflecting on Butto's performance, Mets’ coach Carlos Mendoza commented, "We got two huge innings out of him when we needed it."
Historic Feat for the Mets
The Mets have now joined an elite group, becoming only the fourth team to score five or more runs in an extra inning in back-to-back games. This achievement highlights the team's tenacity and ability to perform under pressure, characteristics that will serve them well as the season progresses.
Overall, this game showcased the Mets’ depth and the resilience of their players. Nimmo's return and his crucial RBI single, coupled with stellar pitching performances and timely hitting, underscore a team effort that led to a memorable victory against the Nationals.