Nimmo snaps out of slump with 3-run homer and Mets roll past Marlins 7-3

NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Nimmo broke out of his slump with a three-run homer and Jeff McNeil launched a two-run shot, powering the New York Mets to a 7-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

McNeil and Nimmo both went deep in a six-run fourth that included an RBI triple by Francisco Lindor. Sean Manaea (9-5) pitched seven effective innings for his third victory in four starts.

Nimmo’s 390-foot line drive into the second deck in right field ended an 0-for-17 skid and was his first home run since July 10.

“I’m not doing very well and obviously, the worse you do, the less comfortable you feel,” Nimmo said. “But today’s a step in the right direction.”

The 31-year-old outfielder, who missed Thursday’s 7-6 loss to Oakland with a stomach virus, hit just .139 (15 for 108) with four extra-base hits and 37 strikeouts between homers.

“Maybe I got some of those demons out of me with being sick,” Nimmo said. “I don’t know, but it felt good to help out tonight.”

The shot capped a six-run outburst for the Mets, who moved within a game of Atlanta for the third NL wild card when the Braves lost 3-2 at the Los Angeles Angels. McNeil connected for a go-ahead homer and Lindor delivered an RBI triple earlier in the fourth against starter Roddery Muñoz (2-7).

McNeil, who led the majors with a .326 average in 2022 but hit just .216 in the first half this season, is batting .318 with seven homers and 16 RBIs since the All-Star break.

“When he gets in a strong position and with conviction, he’s a pretty good hitter,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Jesse Winker also singled in the fourth for the Mets, who hadn’t hit for the cycle in an inning since July 6, 2023, against Arizona.

“It’s just tough to come back after that six-run fourth,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said.

J.D. Martinez opened the scoring for the Mets on Fireworks Night at Citi Field with a first-inning RBI single.

Manaea, who allowed three runs and five hits, clapped into his glove in acknowledgement of a standing ovation from the crowd of 32,311 following a 1-2-3 seventh.

“To be able to have a good outing in front of the home crowd is incredible,” he said.

The left-hander has lasted seven innings in three of his past four starts after doing so just twice in his first 20 starts.

Derek Hill had an RBI double for the Marlins, and Jake Burger stayed hot with a fifth-inning homer. Burger has seven homers while hitting .438 during an eight-game hitting streak.

“Burger’s on a heater,” Schumaker said. “Just an incredible run that he’s on.”

Muñoz gave up five runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings. He allowed just one run over 11 innings in his first two starts against the Mets.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: C Nick Fortes (right quad) was activated from the 10-day injured list but didn’t play. C Jhonny Perada was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville. … RHP Anthony Bender (shoulder impingement) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Monday. Schumaker said he was hopeful Bender could return as soon as he’s eligible. To replace Bender on the roster, RHP Emmanuel Ramírez was recalled from Jacksonville.

Mets: OF Starling Marte (right knee) went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly while playing nine innings for a second straight game at Triple-A Syracuse. Marte is scheduled to return to New York on Saturday and could be activated as soon as Sunday. … RHP Dedniel Núñez (right pronator strain) threw 20 pitches of live batting practice and could begin a rehab assignment early next week.

UP NEXT

The three-game series continues Saturday, when Marlins RHP Max Meyer (3-2, 5.20 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against RHP Luis Severino (7-6, 4.17).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Miami Marlins' Roddery Muñoz pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo, right, slides past Miami Marlins catcher Ali Sánchez, left, to score on a single hit by J.D. Martinez during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader reacts after getting walked by Miami Marlins pitcher Roddery Muñoz during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' George Soriano runs to the pitcher's mound to replace Roddery Muñoz during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting a two-run home run leading to Francisco Alvarez scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' Ali Sánchez, left, and John McMillon, right, walk to the dugout together after the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' Xavier Edwards reacts after grounding out to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso during the eighth inning of a baseball, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader, right, bumps helmets with a ball boy at first base after being walked by Miami Marlins pitcher Roddery Muñoz during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez reacts after grounding out to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Francisco Lindor, left, and Tyrone Taylor, right, celebrate after winning a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Sean Manaea pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader, left, and Jeff McNeil, right, celebrate after McNeil hit a home run leading Francisco Alvarez to score during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo celebrates after hitting a three-run home run leading to Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in aid for Ukraine Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv, aiming to bolster the energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded ahead of an expected difficult winter.

At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken said the assistance also would provide humanitarian support and pay for demining operations.

The $325 million in energy support in the package will help repair and restore Ukraine’s power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure.

Some $290 million will fund food, water, shelter, health care and education programs for Ukrainians in need in the country and refugees outside the country. The remaining $102 million will be used for mine-removal activities.

Late last week, the U.S. announced it was sending $250 million more in weapons to Ukraine, including air defense missiles and artillery.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The top U.S. and British diplomats traveled together to the Ukrainian capital Wednesday to underscore their commitment to the country in its war with Russia, and Ukrainian officials pressured the visitors to let them use Western-provided long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.

The rare joint visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy unfolded as Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army bears down on Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and pounds the country with missiles, glide bombs and drones that claim many civilian casualties.

Lammy said the 2 1/2-year conflict is at a “critical” juncture following Ukraine's daring incursion last month into Russia’s Kursk region, even as it tries to defend against its neighbor’s aerial attacks on cities across the country.

"We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children — horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,” Lammy said.

He noted that Britain is setting aside 3 billion pounds ($3.9 billion) a year to help Ukraine.

But relations between Ukraine and its Western partners have been increasingly strained by Kyiv’s repeated appeals for the West’s authorization to use long-range weapons from the United States and other allies to strike targets deeper inside Russia.

That issue has become more urgent given Russia’s latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have balked at the request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war.

U.S. President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, but has largely limited the distance they can be fired.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped for changes to those limitations.

“Let’s count on some strong decisions, at least,” he said. “For us, it’s very important.”

He said he hoped to speak to Biden later this month, noting that U.S. military and financial support is crucial.

“We rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can’t prevail without it,” Zelenskyy said.

However, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week pushed back on the idea that long-range strikes would be a game-changer.

“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” Austin said at a meeting of allied military leaders in Germany. The Ukrainians have other means to strike long-range targets, he added.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Lammy he hoped an agreement on using long-range assets “for strikes on the territory of our enemy” could be reached. “We hope for your help and support in this issue.”

Shmyhal described the meeting with Lammy in Kyiv as “intense” but gave no other details in his post on his Telegram channel.

A hard winter likely lies ahead for Ukraine. Its power grid is under severe strain after Russian missiles and drones knocked out around 70% of the country’s generation capacity.

Kyiv officials will also have to navigate the outcome of the U.S. election in November, which could produce important policy shifts in Washington. Former President Donald Trump said in a presidential debate Tuesday that he wants the war to end but did not clearly say he wants Ukraine to win.

The top U.S. and British diplomats reached the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland.

Blinken traveled from London, where he accused Iran of providing Russia with Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, calling the move a “dramatic escalation” of the war.

Referring to those missiles, Shmyhal added: “Russia’s use of weapons from its terrorist allies to strike at Ukraine continues their genocidal war and terrorism on our territory. We must be able to respond to such terrorism in kind by destroying military targets on their territory to ensure greater safety for our citizens.”

Wednesday’s visit came ahead of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned trip to Washington, where he will meet Biden at the White House on Friday. Ukraine's request for permission to strike Russian targets is due to feature in the discussion.

The visit was, unusually, announced in advance — a public signal of American and British support for Ukraine.

As Blinken and Lammy arrived in Kyiv, the U.K. announced it would ban 10 commercial ships it accuses of illicitly transporting Russian oil in violation of international sanctions. The U.K. government said the vessels would be barred from British ports and could be detained if they enter.

Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Derek Gatopoulos in Kyiv contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

On the podium from left, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar Nariman Dzhelyal, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk attend the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

Front from left, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar Nariman Dzhelyal and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy attend the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with chef Yevhen Klopotenko as he visits a restaurant in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, listens as UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, right, speaks during the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (not pictured) and other officials Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (not pictured) and other officials Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy attends a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is greeted as he arrives at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, right. and US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken arrive at Kyiv train station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The British Foreign Secretary joined his American counterpart on a visit to Ukraine to discuss the country's military needs in its fight against Russia. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy are greeted as they arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, front left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, front left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken board a train at Przemysl train station in Poland Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 as they prepare to travel to Ukraine. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)