The Mets are headed to the postseason after Francisco Lindor’s two-run homer within the ninth capped a wild back-and-forth over the ultimate two innings, giving New York an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves within the opener of a make-up doubleheader squeezed in earlier than the beginning of the playoffs.
Atlanta would additionally earn a wildcard berth by profitable the second sport, which might get rid of Arizona. If the Mets sweep, the Braves could be knocked out.
The sport was an prompt basic. The Braves, who’ve foiled the Mets repeatedly through the years, led 3-0 heading to the eighth behind rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach. At that time, ESPN Stats & Information gave the Braves a 94.1% probability of profitable. However that was lengthy forgotten by the tip of this thriller.
New York went 6-3 forward with a six-run eight, capped by Brandon Nimmo’s two-run homer, and ESPN gave the Mets a 91.3% probability of victory. However the Braves surged again forward with 4 runs within the backside half, with Ozzie Albies delivering a bases-loaded double with two outs for a 7-6 lead after a collapse by Mets nearer Edwin Diaz.
The Mets weren’t completed. Starling Marte singled with one out off Pierce Johnson and Lindor, the guts and soul of the Mets crew, delivered his thirty third homer, a drive into the Braves bullpen in right-center.
Diaz then got here again on to shut out the sport. He earned the win with a season excessive 40 pitches regardless of giving up Albies’ go-ahead hit, which got here after the Mets nearer did not cowl first on a play that allowed Jarred Kelenic to achieve on a two-out infield hit. The Braves had the potential tying run at second within the ninth, however Díaz struck out Ramón Laureano and retired former Met Travis d’Arnaud on a grounder to shortstop.
Díaz slammed his glove to the bottom and the Mets celebrated briefly behind the mound after changing into baseball’s newest playoff crew. They needed to maintain off on a full-fledged celebration of their eleventh postseason berth in 63 seasons, their first since 2022. There was nonetheless yet another regular-season sport to play.
The win closed out a daily season for the Mets wherein they appeared lifeless and buried after the opening weeks earlier than changing into the shape crew in baseball.
