Nimmo comes back from hotel room scare to score 2 runs as Mets beat Nationals 7-2 in 10

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brandon Nimmo had two RBIs after returning from a terrible accident in his hotel room, and the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 7-2 on Tuesday night for their second straight victory in extra innings.

Nimmo, who cut his forehead when he fainted and fell Sunday evening, entered in the fourth round after Harrison Bader has been removed following a collision with the right-center field wall. In the eighth inning, he produced a single by Francisco Lindor that tied the game, then was part of a series of hits against Robert Garcia (0-3) once the game went into overtime.

“I’m really enjoying the moments tonight… taking the big shots, savoring them because it’s not like this every day,” Nimmo said. “When things like that happen, it’s a new perspective on being able to play this game and being able to play it at this level on a daily basis. When you take that game away from you for a little while, you realize how special it is and you start to appreciate the little things a little bit more.”

In a 10th in five rounds, Jose Iglesias doubled to give the Mets the lead, Nimmo also doubled and Pete Alonso crushed his 18th home run.

Lindor’s 14th home run in the sixth inning was the only blemish on Nationals rookie DJ Herz, who struck out 10 batters in 5 2/3 innings of five-hit ball. Herz joined Stephen Strasburg as the only pitchers since 1901 to have two games with 10 strikeouts and no walks in his first six major league starts.

“I just go out there and pitch,” Herz said. “I just want to go out there and put these guys in the best situation to win. It’s cool to hear all that stuff, but I just try to go out there and do what’s best for my team.”

But Washington’s bullpen let Herz down, first when Hunter Harvey was bumped in the eighth and then when Garcia was lit for the loss.

The Mets became just the fourth team to score five or more runs in extra innings in consecutive games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

After Sean Manaea allowed one earned run and struck out five in seven innings, Jose Butto gave the Mets exactly what they wanted by calling him up from the bullpen. Butto (2-3) has allowed just one hit in his first two innings in relief this season.

“We got two huge innings from him when we needed it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Mets: Mendoza said Bader was day to day with a neck and upper back injury. … Designated hitter J.D. Martinez was scratched with left ankle soreness. … Right-handed reliever Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) has not started pitching and is expected to be out at least two more weeks, Mendoza said.

Nationals: Right-handed pitcher Josiah Gray won’t be able to play until at least mid-July because of elbow soreness. Gray said he felt fatigued in his last minor league rehab start Sunday before leaving the game. Manager Dave Martinez said Gray will have an MRI on his elbow, but not before the All-Star break, which begins July 15. The 26-year-old, who was Washington’s opening day starter, was on the injured list since early April. … RHP Cade Cavalli, who underwent Tommy John surgery In spring 2023, he will have to step up his rehabilitation process again after missing time due to illness, Martinez said.

FOLLOWING

Mets right-handed pitcher Christian Scott (0-2, 3.90 ERA) makes his first start since May 30, pitching against Nationals left-handed pitcher Mitchell Parker (5-4, 3.32 ERA).

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AP Major League Baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb