Carlos Mendoza explains lineup move that propelled Mets to needed win over Brewers

After the New York Mets suffered a 7-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the opening game of Wednesday's doubleheader, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza made a change and put left fielder Brandon Nimmo in the leadoff spot of the lineup ahead of shortstop Francisco Lindor and right fielder Juan Soto.

Nimmo rewarded his skipper by hitting a grand slam in the second inning, and Lindor went deep in the next at-bat en route to helping the hosts earn a needed 7-3 win. Following the victory, Mendoza explained his mindset regarding his lineup. 

"I was more trying to split (Nimmo) and Soto with the tough left-on-left," Mendoza said about facing Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski, as shared by Manny Gomez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "It was basically who we’re playing, pretty much."

It was the first time since May 2024 that a healthy Lindor started for the Mets but wasn't in the leadoff spot. Per Alex Smith of SNY, the fan favorite who is playing through discomfort caused by the broken pinky toe he suffered on June 4 slashed .133/.172/.267 with 13 strikeouts over his previous 15 games before the nightcap of the doubleheader. 

"Whatever it takes to win," Lindor said about moving down in the lineup order, according to SNY's Phillip Martinez. "Nimmo came out today, set the tone, hit a grand slam. He did fantastic today. Whatever it takes to win. I don’t have to hit in one place, I’ll hit wherever the team thinks is the best thing."

Mendoza had to do something to try to stop the bleeding while knowing he'd need to rely on a bullpen game following the loss on Wednesday afternoon. His Mets had fallen from 45-24 to 48-38 heading into the evening. Earlier in the day, relief pitcher Reed Garrett failed to hold what had been a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning: