Brandon Nimmo helps Mets to another big 10th inning in victory over Nationals
The Mets' Brandon Nimmo poses for a photo for a fan after a game against the Nationals at Nationals Park on Tuesday in Washington. Credit: AP/Alex Brandon
WASHINGTON — Early Monday morning, Brandon Nimmo woke up — in a literal sense — face down in the bathroom of his hotel room, shocked by the sight of his own blood after, he eventually realized, he had fainted. Hours of medical testing ensued; he was ultimately rattled but fine.
By Tuesday night, he woke up in a figurative way. He re-realized that a full night of sleep is great, life is beautiful and baseball is so much fun — especially when it’s going like this.
Coming off the bench just a day after a scary episode, Nimmo starred in the Mets’ 7-2, 10-inning win over the Nationals. He contributed the tying single in the eighth and a two-out, run-scoring double during a five-run final frame.
The Mets inched back above .500 at 42-41. They beat Washington (39-46) for a fifth time in as many tries this season.
“When things like this happen, it’s a fresh perspective on being able to play this game and being able to play at this level on a daily basis,” said Nimmo, who before the game noted that he slept for 10 hours and “it was awesome.”
“When it’s taken away from you briefly, you realize just how special it is. You start to enjoy the little things a little bit more. I was just like, OK, I’m glad that I can get back to playing so quickly. Just went into (manager Carlos Mendoza’s) office and told him I’m good to go whenever you want.”
That came earlier than expected, with centerfielder Harrison Bader departing in the fourth inning. In the third, he hurt his neck colliding with the wall in right-center. He said he expects to play Wednesday.
Upon seeing Bader’s crash, Nimmo immediately began warming up and reiterated to Mendoza that he was there if he wanted him. Mendoza said he was “pretty comfortable” using Nimmo after Nimmo went through a full pregame routine of running, throwing and hitting — and getting his heartrate up — without issue.
“You never know how a game is going to work out,” Nimmo said. “Just was glad to be able to come through in those situations for the guys. It’s fun playing right now.”
Setting up the late dramatics was a duel between a pair of lefthanders, Sean Manaea (seven innings, two runs) and rookie DJ Herz (5 2/3 innings, one run). When that left the Mets trailing in the eighth, Francisco Lindor managed a one-out double. Nimmo brought him in with a grounder to leftfield.
The score stayed knotted until the top of the 10th, when Jose Iglesias grounded a go-ahead double down the rightfield line. Then Nimmo added his double, Mark Vientos came through with a single and Pete Alonso capped the excitement with a two-run home run.
For Nimmo, getting back on the field was important for baseball reasons, because had he missed another day or two he risked losing his timing at the plate and thus his hot streak. But it also served as a reminder that he is so fortunate to have this life to begin with.
“This job can get pretty stressful at times and it can be hard and it can be frustrating,” Nimmo said. “But then remembering at the end of the day you get to play a kid’s game for a job, and it’s pretty special to be a part of this 1% of the 1%. You’re competing against guys who have worked their whole lives to get here. Just appreciating that a little bit more rather than the grind of a season that can sometimes come along.”
The Mets’ extra-inning explosion came a game after they put up a six-spot in the 10th (and hung on for a 9-7 win) on Monday.
Altogether, the Mets have scored 11 runs in the 10th inning the past two days. In regulation, they have totaled five.
Jose Butto picked up the win with a pair of scoreless innings of relief. The Mets called up Butto, a starting pitcher, from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day to help the bullpen.
“Really enjoying the moments tonight,” Nimmo said. “Just soak them in, because not every day is like that.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.