Nimmo recovers from his injury, comes off the bench and hits 2-run HR in the 9th to lift the Mets over the Braves, 4-3

NEW YORK (AP) – Brandon Nimmo get rid of an injury and came off the bench to hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning that gave the New York Mets a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night.

Pete Alonso had two RBIs and the Mets avoided a three-game sweep, a day after being held hitless by three Atlanta pitchers until there were two outs in the ninth.

“We needed this one. We grind. Everybody on this team is working right now,” second baseman Jeff McNeil said. “We’ll take any win where we can get it, and this one is important.”

Leading the bat in place of Nimmo, DJ Stewart hit a single on Braves starter Bryce Elder’s first pitch to give the Mets a quick hit this time. Nimmo did not start after leaving Saturday’s game with right side discomfort, but he entered as a pinch runner in the seventh and remained to play left field.

“I couldn’t have imagined the day would go this way,” Nimmo said afterward at his locker, still in full uniform and cleats.

Jarred Kelenic scored for Atlanta against the team that drafted him sixth overall and then traded him to Seattle. Marcell Ozuna’s second decisive single of the night gave the Braves a 3-2 lead in the eighth.

McNeil led off the bottom of the ninth with a perfect drag bunt for a single, sparking a rally for the plummeting Mets.

“I don’t feel great at the plate, so I know it’s always in the back pocket when I want it. I decided to remove it,” he said.

McNeil advanced on Tomás Nido’s sacrifice bunt before Nimmo entered the batter’s box for his first plate appearance of the game.

Nimmo, who also made a great catch over the left field fence in the eighth, drove a complete cutter from AJ Minter (5-3) to right center for his sixth home run.

“I was just begging him not to get caught,” Nimmo said. “Just pure elation, just adrenaline rushing through me, and I was so excited.”

Wearing pink Mother’s Day socks, a smiling Nimmo raised his fist as he circled the bases. He was mobbed by excited teammates at the plate after the second home run of his career.

“It’s definitely one of the coolest days I’ve had, that’s for sure,” Nimmo said.

Minter was on the mound because Braves closer Raisel Iglesias had pitched the previous two days.

Nimmo also hit a game-tying home run off Minter in the seventh inning of an 8–7 victory for the Mets in Atlanta on April 8.

“That’s what killed me this year, just making sure the ball stayed in the yard,” Minter said. “I don’t know how to solve this problem. I don’t know if everything will balance out.

Edwin Díaz (1-1) went 1-2-3 for the victory.

Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. was thrown out at first base twice. Atlanta had won four straight since its sweep at Dodger Stadium May 3-5.

TRAINERS ROOM

Braves: All-Star 3B Austin Riley came out fourth as a precaution with strain on his left side. He was replaced by Zack Short, who made his debut in Atlanta. … RHP Pierce Johnson (elbow inflammation) sent a bullpen home. He’ll throw another one this week and if all goes well, he could be cleared from the injured list Friday, manager Brian Snitker said.

Mets: RHP Tylor Megill (shoulder strain) pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings for Triple-A Syracuse against Lehigh Valley. He struck out six, walked none and threw 55 of 74 pitches for strikes. New York is expected to reinstate Megill from his minor league rehab assignment this week and decide whether to bring him back to the big leagues or option him to Syracuse. … RHP Drew Smith (shoulder soreness) pitched a hitless inning Saturday for Syracuse and could come off the injured list Monday or Tuesday. … LHP David Peterson (left hip surgery) is scheduled to begin another rehab Tuesday at Double-A Binghamton. He could be ready to go off the IL when he becomes eligible on May 27.

FOLLOWING

Braves: RHP Reynaldo López (2-1, 1.53 ERA) starts Monday night at home against Chicago Cubs rookie sensation Shota Imanaga (5-0, 1.08) in the first game of a three-game series .

Mets: LHP Sean Manaea (2-1, 3.31) pitches Monday night against Philadelphia LHP Cristopher Sánchez (2-3, 3.22) at Citi Field.