Nimmo rescues Mets off the bench on Mother's Day. Senga's rehab progressing slowly

NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Nimmo played only 2 1/2 innings off the bench and still made all the difference.

Held out of the starting lineup Sunday night because of soreness on his right side, Nimmo entered as a pinch runner in the seventh and hit a two-run homer in the ninth that gave the New York Mets a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Swinging a pink bat and wearing pink socks on Mother’s Day, a smiling Nimmo pumped his fist as he circled the bases. He was swarmed by excited teammates at home plate after connecting off left-hander A.J. Minter for the second walk-off homer of his career.

“This definitely is one of the coolest days that I’ve had, for sure,” Nimmo said at his locker afterward, still in full uniform and cleats. “It just was really special.”

Nimmo exited Saturday’s game early with right intercostal irritation, and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza initially intended to give him a full night off Sunday.