Francisco Alvarez and Brandon Nimmo hit home runs in Mets win

PHILADELPHIA — The Mets' lineup benefited from Francisco Lindor's MVP-like season and Mark Vientos' emergence for much of the year, and the duo has helped put them in playoff position. But for the team to make a splash in October, the rest of the offense will have to step up.

Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Alvarez were two of the main culprits for what went wrong, but both showed signs of a breakthrough in Friday's 11-3 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

They both hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning against Aaron Nola, who had not allowed a single hit in the first four innings.

Alvarez hit his ball to left and bounced off the foul post, giving the Mets a 3-0 lead. Nimmo followed later in the inning with a curveball to make it 3-2.

Somewhat lost in the team's amazing turnaround were the lingering struggles of both hitters: Alvarez had hit just two home runs in the previous 52 games before hitting home runs in his final two games, giving him eight home runs this year, and Nimmo hadn't hit a home run since Aug. 18.

Their weak spots went beyond mere power, as Alvarez had an OPS of .501 during those 52 games, while Nimmo's OPS in his previous 50 games before Friday was .546.

Before the game, Carlos Mendoza noted Alvarez's improved hitting performance over the past week, especially against fastballs.

On Friday, he turned with the inside of his ankle several centimeters away from the plate.

“I stayed in the ball to see if I [could] “Be fair,” Alvarez said.

“He's able to make good swing decisions and do damage,” Mendoza said of the catcher. “He gets to a point mechanically where he's ready to fire.”

Nimmo, meanwhile, will have to face pitchers who attack him differently based on his success in the final two months of last season and an impressive June this year.

That June breakthrough was followed by two ugly months, and he had gone 20 games without a home run before hitting his 19th home run on Friday.

“Now it's my turn to adjust,” Nimmo said of the pitchers who have outperformed him recently. “It was a good night. I don't know if it was the peak. I hope not. I hope it will be very evident when I get back on my feet.”

Mendoza said of Nimmo's production: “It was good for him. Good for all of us.”