Mets rally past Braves in Game 1 thriller, clinch NL playoff spot

ATLANTA — Francisco Lindor belted a two-run residence run within the ninth inning because the New York Mets clinched a Nationwide League wild-card playoff berth with a wild 8-7 victory in opposition to the Atlanta Braves in Recreation 1 of Monday’s doubleheader.

It was Recreation 161 of 162 for each groups, being performed as a high-stakes doubleheader on the day after the scheduled finish of the common season. The video games are a make-up for the 2 worn out final week by Hurricane Helene.

The Braves gave the impression to be cruising to victory, main 3-0 earlier than a seesaw eighth inning started.

The Mets posted six runs within the high of the inning, punctuated by Brandon Nimmo’s two-run residence run. Braves nearer Raisel Iglesias gave up the homer and was pulled after 12 pitches, protecting alive the possibility that he might seem in Recreation 2 for Atlanta.

The Braves surged again with 4 runs within the backside of the eighth inning, capped by Ozzie Albies’ three-run double with two outs off Mets nearer Edwin Diaz for a 7-6 lead.

That solely set the stage for Lindor’s heroics within the ninth inning.

Starling Marte singled with one out off Pierce Johnson and Lindor delivered his thirty third homer — a drive into the Braves’ bullpen in right-center — because the Mets superior to the playoffs for the primary time since 2022. The crew has gained just one playoff sport since their World Sequence look in 2015.

“It isn’t the tip of the street for us however gosh, dang, does it really feel good,” Nimmo mentioned.

Edwin Diaz (6-4) earned the Recreation 1 win with a season-high 40 pitches regardless of giving up Albies’ go-ahead hit, which got here after the Mets nearer didn’t cowl first on a play that allowed Jarred Kelenic to succeed in on a two-out infield hit.

Diaz mentioned he demanded to return to the mound for the ninth inning.

“I do not care what you say, I am 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 Ramon 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 turning into baseball’s newest playoff crew.

The Related Press contributed to this report.