(Atlanta) Francisco Lindor hit a two-run homer in the ninth and the New York Mets advanced to the series with an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
It was the first game of a doubleheader. If the Mets also win the second game, they will be accompanied in the playoffs by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
If the Braves win the second game, they will join the New Yorkers in the series.
The doubleheader serves to establish which two other clubs qualify for the playoffs in the National, among the trio of additional teams in the playoffs.
In this race, the San Diego Padres finished in first place by a good margin.
Down 0-3 in the eighth, the Mets scored six runs in this inning, started with five straight hits.
A sacrifice fly from Mark Vientos made it 4-3, then Brandon Nimmo added a long two-run homer against shortstop Raisel Iglesias.
PHOTO JASON ALLEN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mark Vientos
In their next at-bat, the Braves regained the lead with four runs, a charge punctuated by a three-run double from Ozzie Albies.
The Mets were not going to stay silent.
In the ninth, Starling Marte hit a single against Pierce Johnson (7-5), then Lindor slammed his 33e circuit of the season.
“It seemed like it was going in slow motion,” Lindor said. I got the shot I wanted. »
Shortstop Edwin Diaz (6-4) got the job done in the bottom of the ninth, closing the books with a runner on second base.
Craftsman of five outs, Diaz needed 40 shots, a high for him this season.
PHOTO BRETT DAVIS, USA TODAY SPORTS
Francisco Alvarez (4) and Edwin Diaz (39)
Braves rookie Spencer Schwellenbach excelled in seven innings, allowing one run and four hits.
He struck out five batters and did not allow a walk.
Albies and Ramon Laureano hit home runs for the Braves.
Defeated in their first five games this year, the Mets were 22-33 on May 29. The Los Angeles Dodgers were coming off a sweep at Citi Field.
After that May 29 loss, Lindor called a players’ meeting.
“Everyone was free to express themselves about how to do better,” Nimmo said. Something had to happen. »
The goal was achieved, because after this meeting, the Mets led major league baseball with a 67-39 record.
They will begin a two-of-three series on Tuesday, in Milwaukee or San Diego.