Brandon Nimmo’s clutch two-run double in the seventh inning lifted the New York Mets to a 5-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday, with Max Scherzer delivering a solid performance on the mound.
Scherzer (1-0) managed to hold off the Marlins despite losing an early three-run advantage, pitching six innings against NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. The Mets, boasting the best Opening Day record in baseball at 41-21, extended their dominance.
The game saw Garrett Cooper hit a two-run homer off Scherzer in the sixth inning, tying the score at 3-3. Jacob Stallings had set the stage with a single, followed by a double from Luis Arraez.
Nimmo, who signed a lucrative $162 million eight-year contract with the Mets in the offseason, delivered from the leadoff position. His seventh-inning double off reliever Tanner Scott (0-1) put the Mets ahead 5-3, securing their 41st Opening Day win in 53 games.
Earlier, Nimmo’s sacrifice fly brought in Daniel Vogelbach for an early 1-0 lead.
Before the game, the Mets announced that Justin Verlander would be on the injured list due to a strained upper back muscle, delaying his debut with the team.
The Marlins, with new manager Skip Schumaker, suffered a loss on Opening Day, dropping their record to 12-19.
Arraez, acquired from Minnesota in the offseason, went 2-for-4, aiming to bolster Miami’s struggling offense from last season.
Scherzer, making his first Opening Day start for the Mets, allowed four hits, struck out six, and issued two walks.
In relief, Drew Smith, Brooks Raley, and David Robertson combined for three shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just one hit.
Robertson, stepping in as closer after Edwin Diaz’s season-ending injury during the World Baseball Classic, closed the game with a save.
Alcantara struggled with control, issuing four walks and striking out two before being lifted in the sixth inning after conceding two runs from two walks and two singles.
The Mets extended their lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning with Lindor’s sacrifice fly scoring Nimmo and Jeff McNeil adding an RBI single.