Mets overtake Braves in Game 1 thriller to secure NL playoff spot

ATLANTA – Francisco Lindor hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning as the New York Mets clinched a spot in the wild-card playoffs with a wild 8-7 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader National League secured.

It was Game 161 of 162 for both teams, played as a high-stakes doubleheader the day after the scheduled end of the regular season. The games compensate for the two that were wiped out by Hurricane Helene last week.

The Braves appeared to be on their way to victory, leading 3-0 before a wobbly eighth inning.

The Mets scored six runs to start the inning, punctuated by Brandon Nimmo's two-run home run. Braves closer Raisel Iglesias gave up the home run and was ejected after 12 pitches, leaving a chance he could pitch in Game 2 for Atlanta.

The Braves rallied with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, capped by Ozzie Albies' three-run, two-out double off Mets closer Edwin Diaz for a 7-6 lead.

That didn't set the stage for Lindor's heroics until the ninth inning.

Starling Marte hit a single with one out against Pierce Johnson and Lindor hit his 33rd home run – a drive into the Braves bullpen in right center – as the Mets advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The team has won just one playoff game since their World Series appearance in 2015.

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

The Braves can still clinch the final undetermined wild-card spot with a win in Game 2, but projected starter Chris Sale has been bothered by back spasms. Instead, Grant Holmes will get the start for Atlanta against Luis Severino of the Mets.

If Atlanta loses Game 2, the Arizona Diamondbacks would clinch the final spot in the National League playoffs.

Edwin Diaz (6-4) secured the Game 1 win with a season-high 40 pitches despite giving up Albies' go-ahead run, which came after the Mets scored on a play that allowed Jarred Kelenic to score. couldn't cover first on a two-out infield hit.

Diaz said he requested to return to the mound for the ninth inning.

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

The Braves had the potential tying score at second in the ninth, but Díaz struck out Ramon 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.