“It’s Not as Ordinary as It Appeared”: Nimmo, Mets Reflect on Crucial Tenth-Inning Play Against Freeman
Nimmo, Mets Reflect on Crucial Tenth-Inning Play Against Freeman.In the high-pressure setting of extra innings, every play is magnified—and Sunday’s showdown between the Mets and Dodgers was no exception. The moment that stole the spotlight? A fly ball off the bat of Freddie Freeman in the top of the tenth inning. What appeared to be a routine out on the stat sheet turned out to be anything but, according to Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo and others inside the clubhouse.
“It’s not as ordinary as it appeared,” Nimmo said after the game, referencing the high fly that hung in the night sky before settling into his glove. “You see a ball off Freeman’s bat, especially in that situation, and your first instinct is: trouble. But off the bat, it had some weird spin, and the lights made it a little tricky.”
The play came with the Dodgers threatening, a runner already placed on second via the extra-innings rule. Freeman’s flyout didn’t advance the runner, a small defensive win that helped the Mets keep control of the inning and ultimately escape the frame without damage.
Manager Carlos Mendoza backed up Nimmo’s assessment. “It looks like a can of corn from the stands,” Mendoza said. “But when you’re out there and the ball’s got that top-spin fade and you’re dealing with the lights, the crowd, and the moment—there’s a lot going on. Brandon made it look easy, but it was a big-time play.”
Pitcher Reed Garrett, who was on the mound during the sequence, emphasized the importance of trust in his defense. “I knew I had to keep the ball in the park, and when Freddie made contact, I held my breath a little. Seeing Nimmo track it the way he did gave me a boost.”
What could’ve been the start of a game-breaking rally turned into a mere footnote—thanks in part to a steady glove and some underappreciated outfield savvy.