ATLANTA — The Mets are headed to the postseason after Francisco Lindor's two-run homer in the ninth capped a wild back-and-forth over the final two innings, giving New York an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday in the opener of a makeup doubleheader squeezed in before the start of the playoffs.
Atlanta would also earn a wild-card berth by winning the second game, which would eliminate Arizona. If the Mets sweep, the Braves would be knocked out.
The Braves led 3-0 heading to the eighth behind rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach, but that was long forgotten by the end of this thriller.
New York went ahead with a six-run eight, capped by Brandon Nimmo's two-run homer. The Braves surged back ahead with four runs in the bottom half, with Ozzie Albies delivering a bases-loaded double with two outs for a 7-6 lead.
The Mets weren't finished. Starling Marte singled with one out off Pierce Johnson and Lindor delivered his 33rd homer, a drive into the Braves bullpen in right-center.
Edwin Díaz earned the win with a season high 40 pitches despite giving up Albies’ go-ahead hit, which came after the Mets closer failed to cover first on a play that allowed Jarred Kelenic to reach on a two-out infield hit. The Braves had the potential tying run at second in the ninth, but Díaz struck out Ramón Laureano and retired Travis d’Arnaud on a grounder to shortstop.
Díaz slammed his glove to the ground and the Mets celebrated briefly behind the mound after becoming baseball’s latest playoff team.
{{/usCountry}}Díaz slammed his glove to the ground and the Mets celebrated briefly behind the mound after becoming baseball’s latest playoff team.
{{/usCountry}}New York had to hold off on a full-fledged celebration of their 11th postseason berth in 63 seasons, their first since 2022. There was still one more regular-season game to play.
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