Brandon Nimmos homer lifts Mets over Cardinals to halt three-game skid

ST. LOUIS Most of Brandon Nimmos first month was about as dreary as the New York weather, but May flowers have arrived. The Mets were in need of a jolt offensively after flushing a three-run lead Monday night, and Nimmo was there to Tommy Kahnle Jersey deliver a haymaker that disappeared into a sea of red. Nimmos seventh-inning home run was the difference for the Mets in their 4-3 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Brandon Nimmo homers during the Mets win over the Cardinals on May 6, 2024. AP The Mets snapped a three-game losing streak, playing in a ninth straight contest that was decided by two runs or fewer. Nimmo, who entered with a .919 OPS over his previous 10 games after slumping for much of April, handled the heavy lifting on a night Pete Alonso was on the bench amid a 1-for-28 slump that was extended after he entered the game as a defensive replacement. Much of Nimmos slow start was a product of bad luck as measured by hard-hit ball rate, barrel percentage and average exit velocity. But Nimmo also acknowledged hes implemented tweaks to his swing lately that have helped. Explore More I have felt like its coming around, Nimmo said. I still feel like theres more in the tank I can get better at, but I also believe we have just stayed the course and been trying to make small adjustments along the way and not change too much. Nimmo said those small adjustments included the positioning of his elbow and holding the finish in his swing during practice. Just the littlest things, where you know in baseball theres a lot of ebb and flow, Nimmo said. You are going to get pitched certain ways by certain people and then that is going to flip its just these little tweaks along the way. Sean Manaea pitches during the Mets win over the Cardinals on May 6, 2024. Getty Images After two straight letdowns from their bullpen the Mets (17-18) received three innings of scorele s relief from Jake Diekman, Adam Ottavino and Edwin Diaz. In pitching a perfect ninth, Diaz rebounded from his first blown save of the season a day earlier, when he allowed a game-tying homer at Tampa Bay. Sean Manaea lasted six innings for his longest start since his Mets debut and allowed three earned runs on six hits with one walk and one strikeout over 89 pitches. It marked only the second time this season the lefty allowed more than two earned runs in a start. For Manaea, who began the night averaging 5.5 walks per nine innings, it all started with his control. Yeah, that was incredible, Manaea said. [One walk] and just attacking guys. I felt really good. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! DJ Stewarts RBI double in the first inning gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Francisco Lindor drew a two-out walk against Kyle Gibson before Stewart starting at first base with Alonso on the bench delivered for his 16th RBI this season. Manaea received defensive help with Jeff McNeils diving catch in left field in the second inning. The play looked even better after Brendan Donovans ensuing double, but Masyn Winn was retired to end the inning. The Mets scored twice in the fifth inning on outs to extend their lead to 3-0. After Lars Nootbaar misplayed Nimmos single to put runners on second and third with nobody out, Starling Martes ground out brought in the innings first run. Lindor followed with a sacrifice fly. Edwin Diaz pitches during the Mets win over the Cardinals on May 6, 2024. Getty Images The rally started with Tomas Nidos second hit of the game, a leadoff single. Manaea retired nine straight batters before Winn smacked a two-out double in the fifth. But Manaea rebounded to retire Nootbaar and preserve the Mets three-run lead. The Cardinals jumped on Manaea in the sixth. Willson Contreras stroked an RBI double and Paul Goldschmidt walked to continue the rally. Manaea recorded two straight outs before Ivan Herrera delivered a two-run double that tied it 3-3. Nimmo homered in the seventh to reclaim the lead for the Mets at 4-3. Nimmo crushed a high breaking ball from Andrew Kittredge, who had allowed only one earned run over his previous 14 appearances. [Nimmo] is always going to control the strike zone and even when hes not going at his best hes going to give you quality at-bats because of the strike-zone discipline and swing decisions and his on-base is one of his better calling cards, manager Carlos Mendoza said. But he can impact the baseball and now that hes getting results, impacting the ball, going line to line that is who he is. Andy Pettitte Jersey