Lindor homer sends Mets to playoffs with 8-7 win over Braves, who need victory in twin-bill 2nd game

ATLANTA (AP) — 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 on Monday within the opener of a make-up doubleheader squeezed in earlier than the beginning of the playoffs.

Atlanta would additionally earn a wild-card berth by profitable the second recreation, which might remove Arizona. If the Mets sweep, the Diamondbacks would get in on the Braves’ expense.

The Braves led 3-0 heading to the eighth behind rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach, however that was lengthy forgotten by the top of this thriller.

New York went forward with a six-run eighth, capped by Brandon Nimmo’s two-run homer. 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.

The Mets weren’t completed. Starling Marte singled with one out off Pierce Johnson (7-5) and Lindor delivered his thirty third homer, a drive into the Braves bullpen in right-center.

“It’s not the top of the street for us however gosh, dang, does it really feel good,” Nimmo stated.

Edwin Díaz (6-4) 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 succeed in on a two-out infield hit.

Díaz demanded to return to the mound for the ninth.

“I don’t care what you say, I’m going again out,” he recalled telling supervisor Carlos Mendoza.

The Braves had the potential tying run at second within the ninth, however Díaz struck out Ramón Laureano and retired 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.

New York needed to maintain off on a full-fledged celebration of its eleventh postseason berth in 63 seasons, its first since 2022. There was one final recreation to play within the 2024 common season.

Albies, a switch-hitter who can solely bat right-handed whereas coping with lingering ache from a wrist harm, hit a two-run homer within the third and a bases-clearing double off the bottom of the wall within the eighth. Ramón Laureano additionally homered for the Braves.

After managing simply three singles by the primary seven innings in opposition to Schwellenbach, the Mets offense got here to life within the eighth.

Schwellenbach was lifted after Tyrone Taylor’s leadoff double. Joe Jiménez didn’t retire anybody, giving up three straight hits that pulled the Mets to 3-2.

Atlanta then turned to nearer Raisel Iglesias, however he gave up a tying single to Jose Iglesias, a sacrifice fly to Mark Vientos and Nimmo’s twenty third homer into the right-field seats.

The weird twin invoice was required after two video games had been washed out final week as Hurricane Helene wreaked destruction throughout the southeastern U.S.

The Braves may’ve clinched their seventh straight postseason look on Sunday, however a loss to the Kansas Metropolis Royals left them tied with the Mets at 88-72. Arizona completed the common season 89-73.

MORE RAIN

For a short second within the backside of the sixth, it regarded just like the season may be prolonged a bit longer. Rain started falling at Truist Park, sending the group scrambling for canopy. However it was by no means exhausting sufficient to halt play, a far cry from the torrential downpour that struck the Atlanta space final week. The skies brightened an inning later because the followers returned to their seats.

UP NEXT

Atlanta hac been holding again Chris Sale since his scheduled begin final week was rained out. Seems, he’s injured. The NL Cy Younger Award favourite was scratched from the second recreation begin and changed by journeyman Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.78). New York had tentatively set Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91) to begin the second recreation of the doubleheader, however he was pushed again to the Wild Card Sequence and Joey Lucchesi (0-1. 10.38) was introduced up from the minors for his second begin this season.

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