Mets Clinch Playoff Spot with Lindor's Homer in 8-7 Win Over Braves, Who Face Must-Win in Game 2 of Doubleheader

The Mets are heading to the postseason after Francisco Lindor’s dramatic two-run homer in the ninth inning sealed an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday, in the first game of a makeup doubleheader just before the playoffs.

Atlanta still had a chance to secure a wild-card spot with a win in the second game, which would knock out the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, if the Mets swept both games, the Braves would be eliminated.

The Braves had a 3-0 lead going into the eighth inning, thanks to rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach. But that advantage quickly vanished in the thrilling conclusion to the game.

The Mets stormed ahead with a six-run eighth inning, highlighted by Brandon Nimmo’s two-run homer. Atlanta answered with a four-run surge of their own in the bottom of the inning, capped by Ozzie Albies' bases-loaded double, giving the Braves a 7-6 lead.

But the Mets weren’t done. Starling Marte singled with one out off reliever Pierce Johnson (7-5), and Lindor followed with his 33rd home run of the season, a deep shot into the Braves' bullpen.

Closer Edwin Díaz (6-4) earned the win, despite allowing Albies’ go-ahead hit in the eighth. He had a brief lapse when he failed to cover first base, allowing Jarred Kelenic to reach on an infield single. But Díaz rebounded in the ninth, striking out Ramón Laureano and getting Travis d’Arnaud to ground out, ending the game.

Díaz threw his glove down in celebration, and the Mets briefly gathered on the field after clinching their spot in the postseason, their 11th appearance in franchise history and the first since 2022. They held off on a full celebration, though, with one more regular-season game still to play.