WASHINGTON — Brandon Nimmo saw what he deemed a “little skip” on Jesse Winker’s shot to first base in Friday’s fourth inning and took off running.
That set the chain of events for a phantom triple play against the Mets in their 5-4 loss to the Nationals.
Nimmo, on second, broke for third and Mark Vientos, on first, broke for second.
Both were ruled out (in addition to Winker) when first base umpire Alfonso Márquez ruled that first baseman Nathainel Lowe caught Winker’s ball before throwing to CJ Abrams at second base.
Replays showed Winker’s shot to first base hit the ground.
“I saw a little skip before the glove and so I decided to go,” Nimmo said. “You’re also kind of in no man’s land when it’s hard at him like that and it’s a close play on the ground.”
The ball appeared to hit the ground before going into Nathaniel Lowe’s glove. WardyNYM/XThe play was not reviewable by replay rules because the ball never left the infield.
But manager Carlos Mendoza argued the umpires should have convened to discuss whether one had seen the ball hit the ground.
“I wish that all catches could be reviewed,” Nimmo said. “I get that it’s in the infield, but that play is happening in front of the first base umpire, where he really doesn’t have a great read on it.”
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza immediately came out to argue the call. WardyNYM/XBrooks Raley, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Mets, pending a physical, The Post’s Joel Sherman first reported.
The deal includes a club option for 2026.
The left-hander threw for 13 teams last week and could be in position to begin pitching in minor league rehab games as soon as June.
The Mets have A.J. Minter and Danny Youngas lefty relievers on the major league roster.
Raley, 36, arrived to the Mets in a trade with the Rays before the 2023 season.
He appeared in 66 games that year and pitched to a 2.80 ERA. Last season he appeared in only eight games before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May.
Jesse Winker wasn’t happy with the botched call.
Mendoza cited available at-bats as the primary reason Brett Baty was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse upon Jeff McNeil’s return from the injured list.
After a sluggish start to the season, Baty began to show life over the last 1 ½ weeks.
Overall, he had a .597 OPS while shuffling between second base and third.
“It’s a different feeling for [Baty] now, going back to Triple-A knowing that he can play at this level, as opposed to struggling.” Mendoza said. “He’ll be back.”
