Brandon Nimmo's historic day gives Mets 19-5 win over Nationals

The Mets poured it on against the Washington Nationals in a 19-5 rout on Monday to secure a split of the four-game series.

Here are the takeaways…

-What started out as a bit of a snoozer offensively turned into a total laugher as New York put up 19 runs on 21 hits, scoring 17 runs in the last five innings and putting a hurt on Washington’s bullpen that entered the game dead-last in most pitching categories.

–Brandon Nimmo had the best day at the plate and of his career to break out of a month-long slump with two home runs, a double and nine RBI, finishing 4-for-6.

His first home run came in the sixth inning after reliever Colin Poche entered the game for Trevor Williams, the former Met who pitched well against his old team. With two on and one out, Nimmo sent a 2-0 four-seamer by the lefty 410 feet to center field for a three-run homer to put New York up 6-0.

The second of Nimmo’s two blasts came just an inning later. Now facing Cole Henry with the bases loaded and one out, Nimmo wasted no time and pounced on the first pitch which he gave a ride to right center field for a grand slam. The outfielder had a chance for a second grand slam in the eighth inning but settled for a two-run double to tie the franchise-record with nine RBI in one game.

Nimmo’s historic day raised his batting average to .218 and his OPS to .679. He’s now tied with Pete Alonso for most home runs on the team with six and catapulted to second on the team in RBI with 21.

-New York’s offense didn’t stop there, though, as Jeff McNeil also had a big day at the plate. He finished 2-for-5 with a home run, a triple and three RBI. The home run, McNeil’s first of the season, came in the fifth inning and gave the Mets a 3-0 lead.

-Taking advantage of the Nationals sending out position player Amed Rosario to pitch the ninth inning, Mark Vientos hit his third home run of the season, a three-run shot, and went 2-for-4 with two walks, three RBI and four runs scored. The third baseman had a great series in our nation’s capital, going 7-for-16 over the four games to raise his average to .219.

-Other notable offensive performances on the day were Alonso (2-for-5, a walk, three runs scored, RBI), Jesse Winker (2-for-4, four runs scored, two walks, RBI), Luisangel Acuña (3-for-6, RBI), Francisco Alvarez (2-for-5, walk, RBI) and Juan Soto (2-for-4) before getting subbed off in the seventh inning and New York up big.

In fact, every player who got in the game had at least one hit except leadoff man Francisco Lindor who finished 0-for-3 but was hit twice.

–Griffin Canning, an afterthought after the offensive onslaught that ensued after he left, pitched five scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 2.61.

–Jose Ureña made his Mets and season debut to get the final nine outs, but it was a struggle for the right-hander who allowed five runs (all in the eighth) on seven hits, including two home runs, and a walk. He struck out three and earned a save in name only.

Game MVP: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo matched his jersey number with nine RBI on the day, tying Carlos Delgado for the most RBI in a single game in Mets history.

Highlights

What’s next

The Mets return to Citi Field to begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Two southpaws face off as David Peterson (1-1, 3.29 ERA) goes up against Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 4.40 ERA).

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