Brandon Nimmo’s Home Run Propels Mets Past Braves In Walk-Off Fashion

Late on Mother’s Day evening, pitching dominated the start of the game between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. At Citi Field, both starters kept their respective opposing offenses in check. The difference appeared to be a few late hits by the Braves and Marcell Ozuna. However, it was the Mets who  came out victorious courtesy of Brandon Nimmo and his walk-off, two-run home run to help the Mets avoid the sweep.

Luis Severino took the mound for New York and pitched well. Across 94 pitches, he conceded only two runs, and three walks, recording four strikeouts, and allowing four hits, one of which was a Jarred Kelenic home run. Before departing, he allowed a walk to former Met Zack Short and a base hit to Matt Olson.

Notably, he thwarted runner Ronald Acuna Jr. with a pick-off attempt in the top of the fifth inning. Reed Garrett then entered the game, yielding a base hit to Marcell Ozuna, resulting in Short scoring and giving Atlanta the lead. However, Garrett managed to strike out two batters, leaving two runners stranded and minimizing the damage. Garrett would pitch the top of the seventh and after walking Acuna Jr., would pick him off first base for the second out and keep Atlanta at bay with a scoreless frame.

Bryce Elder kept the Mets’ offense quiet for most of the game, pitching 5 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits and six strikeouts. While Elder was on the mound, the Mets capitalized on a chance in the bottom of the third. Hits by D.J. Stewart and Francisco Lindor led to Pete Alonso driving in a run on a ball hit down the third base line to tie the game at one.

Lindor then greeted Elder in the bottom of the sixth with a lead-off double and Pete Alonso drove him in with a double of his own off the right field wall to tie the game at two. Aaron Bummer would come into the game with a runner at second and keep him there, as the Mets failed to score.

Adam Ottavino  started on the mound in the top of the eighth, and after Zack Short walked, and Olson flew out to Brandon Nimmo in left, Marcell Ozuna singled home Short to give the Braves a 3-2 lead. Jake Diekman  walked the first batter he would face in the top of the eighth after he subbed in for Ottavino but was able to keep the score to a one-run game, with two runners left on base.

The Mets called upon Edwin Díaz to pitch in the top of the ninth and he made quick work of Atlanta, keeping them off the board.

In the bottom half of the frame, Jeff McNeil bunted for a base hit off A.J. Minter, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Tomás Nido. Then, Brandon Nimmo delivered the big blow, driving a 3-2 pitch out to centerfield to walk it off, and avoid the sweep and snap the Braves winning streak at four.

Statistic Of The Game: Third-Largest Differential Between xSLG & SLG

Entering Sunday’s game, Brandon Nimmo owned the third-largest variance (among 269 qualified hitters) between his actual slugging percentage and expected figure.

This season for Nimmo has been interesting to say the least. He has been the team’s move valuable player according to WAR metrics while underperforming several of his expected analytics.

Player Of The Game: Brandon Nimmo

Despite not starting the game due to precautions from yesterday’s injury, Brandon Nimmo would come into the game late and make use of his one at-bat with a walk-off home run!

On Deck

The Mets continue their home stand as they welcome the Philadelphia Phillies to town. The projected starter for tomorrow’s game for the Mets is Sean Manaea (2-1, 3.31 ERA) and Cristopher Sánchez (2-3, 3.22 ERA) for Philadelphia. First pitch is at 7:10 pm ET and will be broadcast on SNY and WCBS 880 AM.

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