Lindor’s home run sends the Mets into the playoffs with an 8-7 win over the Braves, who need a win in Game 2 of the Twin-Bills

ATLANTA– The Mets are headed to the postseason after Francisco Lindor’s two-run homer in the ninth inning capped a wild back-and-forth final two innings to give New York an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves in their opener on Monday Makeup doubleheader squeezed in before playoffs begin.

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 when Ozzie Albies delivered 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.

“I got the pitch I wanted and you never know if the ball is going to go out of bounds or not,” Lindor said. “But I feel like I got it 100 percent, and I just kept saying, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’ We’re one step closer, we have to finish it. End, end, end, end.

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.

New York had lost 77 consecutive games by three runs in the eighth inning or later since May 17, 2023. Díaz slammed his glove to the ground and the Mets celebrated briefly behind the mound after becoming baseball’s newest playoff team.

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

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.

“Have you ever seen a game like this?” Mets owner Steve Cohen tweeted.

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. 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, allowing the Mets to make it 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, 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 had held back Chris Sale because his scheduled start last week was rained out. However, he was unable to take part in the second game due to back problems. The favorite for the NL Cy Young Award was replaced by journeyman Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.78).

“It’s not an IL thing,” Braves general manager Alex Tnthopoulos said. “It’s an everyday thing. If we could let him pitch and it was safe to do that, we would. No matter, we need him if he knows where we want to go.”

New York had provisionally named Luis Severino 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 called up from the minors for his second start of the season.

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