After a successful eight-game road trip during which the Las Vegas 51s (24-19) went 6-2, they returned home to Cashman Field in first place in their division.
They sent Gabriel Ynoa to the mound, who at 5-0 has been the ace of the staff this season. But Ynoa struggled early, giving up two first inning runs on a lead off single by Jed Lowrie and then a one-out home run by Renato Nunez. Ynoa allowed another single before a double play got him out of the inning. He did not allow runs in the second or third despite giving up three more singles. A second double play of the game in the third helped keep the Sounds off the board. A single and double in the fourth plated one more for Nashville.
The Sounds threatened again with a double and a single in the fifth, but a third double play got Ynoa out unscathed. In the sixth, he surrendered another run on a walk, a single and a sac fly. That was it for Ynoa. He gave up a total of four runs, all earned, on 11 hits in 6 innings. He walked two and struck out three. It was the first time this season that he gave up more than three runs in a game.
The 51s’ offense couldn’t get going in the early innings, but quickly became the Brandon Nimmo show. Nimmo singled in the first, then came up in the fourth and hit a booming stand-up triple. He came home on a sac fly by T.J. Rivera for the first Vegas run.
In the fifth, two 51s reached on an error and a single by Daniel Muno, but Dilson Herrera struck out to end the inning. In the sixth, Vegas again had two runners on and failed to score. Nimmo had his third hit of the game, a double, making him a home run short of the cycle.
Jeff Walters took over from Ynoa in the seventh and struggled giving up a run on a hit and four walks in two innings of work, leaving his team even further behind.
Nimmo led off the bottom of the 8th with his fourth hit of the night. He didn’t get the cycle, but settled for another double. Rivera was then hit by a pitch. Monell followed with a single to load the bases. Travis Taijeron reach on an error and Nimmo scored the 51s’ second run of the game. After a strikeout by Nevin Ashley, Niuman Romero came up with a single to left to plate a run as Vegas crept back in the game. A sac fly by pinch hitter Marc Krauss plated run number four to make the score 5-4.
Paul Sewald came in to pitch the ninth to try to hold the score there, but gave up a two-run homer to right fielder Matt Olson. Now down 7-4, Vegas came up for their last licks. Nimmo grounded out failing to reach base for the first time all night. Rivera singled but was erased on a force out by Monell. One last force out by Taijeron ended the game.
Ynoa took the loss, his first of the season. A total of seven runs on 14 hits and six walks were given up by Vegas pitchers. The defense turned three double plays to limit the damage, but the offense fell short.
Top Performers:
Brandon Nimmo went 4 for 5 with a single, two doubles and a triple, and scored two runs. During his current nine-game hitting streak he has slashed .421/.500/.763 with five doubles, four triples and six walks. Monell added two hits, scoring a run. Box Score
Vegas will continue the four game series with Nashville on Tuesday at 10:05 ET with Sean Gilmartin on the hill.
(Photos by Jennifer Nieves)
Nimmo got his OPS up to .829. Nice. I would love to see him hit some home runs once and a while. He still has only 1. If he can hit 10-15 a year with good OBP that would be serviceable.
He could be serviceable with 25 doubles, 7-8 triples a year because his value is still getting on base and playing all three outfielder spots. Any home run power would be added bonus.
Nimmo seems like he hits a ton of triples, is that luck? is it the park he’s in? is it his speed?
He has above average speed with gap power I would say is biggest reason. Some big ballparks in PCL because the ball flies out of most of them, think Coors Fieldish.
Be nice if Becerra or Nimmo pan out. Could use them both here, Becerra is starting to knock on the door for Double A promotion. Let see what you got kid!
Nimmo is just fine with triple doubles and and good average and opb. His speed is still good. He is no longer needed as middle of order hitter since conforto’s emergence. Most likely the Mets will will look to draft one more middle of the order college bat. Either will craig from wake forest or Zack Collins from Florida if either is still on the board. Nimmo bat looks similar to a very young granderson who he is likely to replace going forward. If consistent home runs are to come hitting coach will teach him to tap into power. Right now he is a solid 1-2 with minimum sb threat. What I like most is he is hitting leftys this year.
He could potentially be an important piece if Cespedes doesn’t re-sign with the Mets next year.
Its been said by others more knowledgeable than me recently, but it seems unlikely that they will promote Becerra this year, except for perhaps a late season call up to Bingo. He’s young and raw enough, and has not hit for enough power (largely because of his injured shoulder), that he can benefit from a full or close to full year in the FSL.
As to your first point, AMEN!
I’m liking Nimmo’s obp, and bb/so ratio, in addition to his extra base numbers. As a plus defender, he’s kind of like Kirk (whom we all love) without the messy K-rate.
Hey Michael, having seen some recent highlights of Nimmo, I don’t recall him getting out of the box as quickly as he has been. Now maybe its because he has been dealing with the knee and various other nagging injuries in recent years. But as you’ve seen quite a bit of him in Bingo, I was wondering if you could weigh in with your thoughts, as I am only looking at a handful of video highlights
In fairness, is he considered a plus defender in CF? Thought he is considered a solid average or slightly above average in CF, but plus defender in a corner OF spot?
I think he has been a step slower on the bases and in the field since the knee injury last year which is obviously a concern. Maybe he is finally healthy right now and the reason for triples outburst.
He scores high on range, route and arm strength.
I’d like Josh Lowe and Matt Theis if their on the board when we draft.
@lightningboynine Zack Collins attends the University of Miami not Florida and as a huge Miami Fan in the 3 big sports I must correct you!! Please understand lol THE []_[]