SAN FRANCISCO – Struggling Start for Nimmo and Mets
Brandonnimo has had a slow start to the season, but he’s been a steady presence for the Mets over the past couple of months. This consistency was crucial as other key players like Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Juan Soto faced extended slumps. In contrast, Nimmo has become Mr. Reliable.
On Friday night, he played a pivotal role in two early rallies, helping the Mets secure an 8-1 victory against the Giants at Oracle Park. This win marked the Mets’ fifth straight, allowing them to stay within striking distance of the Phillies for the top spot in the NL East.
Entering the game with a .920 OPS in July, Nimmo finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, which contributed to knocking Giants’ ace Logan Webb out in just four innings. His on-base streak reached a season-high of 18 games.
Meanwhile, Lindor, who ended a 31-game hitless stretch with two hits on Wednesday, continued to improve, going 3-for-3 with a single, a double, and a home run as the Mets racked up ten hits for the night.
Clay Holmes put in a solid performance, throwing 104 pitches, but managed to go only five innings. Still, it was a step forward given some earlier difficulties he faced this season. Overall, he gave up one run and six hits, with two strikeouts and one walk. This marked his eighth straight start without completing six innings, a streak that dates back to June 7.
Nimmo’s leadoff double in the first inning set the stage for the Mets’ two runs. After Lindor hit a single, Juan Soto’s groundout drove in the first run, followed by a sacrifice fly from Pete Alonso that extended the lead to 2-0.
Holmes had a tough time in the bottom of the frame, requiring 33 pitches and allowing one run. Rafael Devers started with a double, and Willy Adames’ ground out brought the Giants closer, making it 2-1. There was a bobbled throw by Ronny Mauricio that might have prevented the run from scoring.
Lindor’s home run in the third inning pushed the score, marking his 20th of the season and reaching that milestone for the eighth time in his career.
The Mets continued to press, adding three more runs to their lead to go up 6-1. Mauricio loaded the bases after walking, following singles from Brett Batty and Francisco Alvarez, and then Tyrone Taylor managed an RBI with a fielder’s choice.
Nimmo then widened the gap with a two-run single after Taylor stole second base, delivering the final blow to Webb.
Although Holmes started the fifth inning by allowing hits to Casey Schmidt and Patrick Bailey, he retired the next three batters, including striking out Rafael Devers.
In the sixth, Huascar Brazoban allowed an infield single to Mike Yastrzemski, followed by a double from Jung Hoo Lee. However, he struck out Schmidt, preserving the Mets’ five-run lead.
Rico Garcia pitched two perfect innings, striking out three, contributing to a 7 2/3 scoreless inning performance across four appearances. His previous stint with the Yankees was less stable.
In the ninth, the Mets added two more runs against Kamilo Doval. After Luisangel Acuna singled, Lindor doubled, followed by a wild pitch from Doval. Juan Soto’s subsequent RBI single sealed the Giants’ fate, placing them in an 8-1 hole.
