New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves results, stats and recap – game tracker as of September 30, 2024

ATLANTA (AP) The Mets are headed to the postseason after Francisco Lindor's two-run homer in the ninth ended a wild back-and-forth final two innings and gave New York an 8-7 victory over Atlanta on Monday Braves kicked off a makeup doubleheader before the playoffs began.

Atlanta would also secure a wild card spot by winning Game 2, eliminating Arizona. If the Mets win, the Diamondbacks would get in at the expense of the Braves.

The Braves led 3-0 in the eighth behind rookie starter Spencer Rumpfenbach, but that was long forgotten by the end of this thriller.

New York took a six-run eighth lead, capped by Brandon Nimmo's two-run home run. The Braves regained the lead 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 done yet. Starling Marte hit a single with one out against Pierce Johnson (7-5) and Lindor delivered his 33rd home run, a drive into the Braves bullpen in right-center.

“It’s not the end of the road for us, but my goodness, does it feel good,” Nimmo said.

Edwin Díaz (6-4) secured the win with a season-high 40 pitches despite giving up Albies' go-ahead run, which came after the Mets failed to cover first, allowing Jarred Kelenic a two-out infield Hit.

Díaz demanded to return to the mound for the ninth time.

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

The Braves had the potential tying score at second in the ninth, but Díaz struck out Ramón Laureano and retired Travis d'Arnaud with a grounder to shortstop.

Díaz slammed his glove to the ground and the Mets celebrated briefly behind the mound after becoming baseball's final playoff team.

New York had to hold off on celebrating its 11th postseason berth in 63 seasons, its first since 2022. There was one last game in the 2024 regular season.

Albies, a switch-hitter who can only hit with his right hand while dealing with ongoing pain from a wrist injury, hit a two-run home run in the third and a bases-clearing double in the eighth Base of the wall. Ramón Laureano also hit a home run for the Braves.

After managing just three singles in the first seven innings against Wechselbach, the Mets' offense came to life in the eighth inning.

Schlafenbach was sent off after Tyrone Taylor's leadoff double. Joe Jiménez didn't strike out anyone and allowed three straight hits, making the Mets 3-2.

Atlanta then turned to closer Raisel Iglesias, but he gave up a game-tying single to Jose Iglesias, a sacrifice throw to Mark Vientos and Nimmo's 23rd home run to the seats in right field.

The unusual twin design became necessary after two games were canceled last week as Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States

The Braves could have won their seventh straight postseason appearance on Sunday, but a loss to the Kansas City Royals left them tied with the Mets at 88-72. Arizona finished the regular season 89-73.

MORE RAIN

For a brief moment at the end of the sixth round it looked as if the season would be extended a bit. Rain began to fall in Truist Park, forcing crowds to seek cover. But it was never hard enough to stop play, unlike the torrential downpour that hit the Atlanta area last week. An inning later, the sky brightened as fans returned to their seats.

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Atlanta held back Chris Sale because his scheduled start last week was rained out. It turned out he was injured. The favorite for the NL Cy Young Award was eliminated from the second start of the game and replaced by journeyman Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.78). New York had provisionally named Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91) to start the second game of the doubleheader, but he was pushed back to the Wild Card Series and Joey Lucchesi (0-1, 10.38) was traded out of the minors made his second start this season.

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