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Doubleheader score, instructions, highlights

The New York Mets secured their spot in the MLB playoffs with a dramatic win over the Braves in the first game of Monday's pivotal doubleheader in Atlanta.

Trailing 3-0 entering the eighth inning, the Mets scored six runs and took a 6-3 lead. But the Braves came right back, scoring four goals down low. With the Braves still three outs away from clinching their playoff spot, Pierce Johnson surrendered a two-run home run to Francisco Lindor that gave the Mets a 7-6 lead. Edwin Diaz held on at the end of the ninth round and was awarded the win after missing a chance to save in the eighth round.

The Braves must win the second game of the doubleheader to clinch their wild-card spot, with another loss knocking them out of contention in favor of the Arizona Diamondbacks. A Mets win in Game 2 would send them to the Wild Card Series in San Diego, while the Braves travel to Milwaukee if they can get a win.