Mets Make The Playoffs As They Exorcise Atlanta Demons

 

Francisco Lindor points the way Monday afternoon. @Mets.

The Mets conquered the demons in Atlanta, and they earned one of the most thrilling victories in their history, 8-7, over the Braves, on Monday afternoon.

This came in the first game of a doubleheader that was precipitated by two games being rained out last week, with two Wild Card spots at stake.

The scenario was simple for the Mets: win one game and you're in the playoffs. The only way the Arizona (89-73) makes it is if one team gets swept.

The Braves got off to a good start against Mets starter Tylor Megill, as Ozzie Albies hit a two-run home run in the third inning, and then Roman Laureano hit a solo shot in the sixth to make it 3-0.

Meanwhile, Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach cruised through seven shutout innings, as he surrendered just three hits and no walks, and threw just 83 pitches. 

Tyrone Taylor led off for the Mets in the eighth inning, and he battled Schwellenbach for 11 pitches and laced a double to center field. 

That would force Atlanta to go to their bullpen, which after being stymied for a starter for seven innings, is a sign of life.

Joe Jimenez was first out of the Braves bullpen, and he was greeted by a double from Francisco Alvarez down the left field line that brought in Taylor and made it a 3-1 game.

Starling Marte was next up, pinch-hitting for Harrison Bader, and he hit a single to left field to give the Mets runners at first and third base with none out.

Francisco Lindor was up next, and he lined one right back up the box for an RBI single to pull the Mets within one.

That was all for Jimenez, and the Braves turned to their closer Raisel Iglesias, who had 33 saves this season. 

The Mets' momentum didn't break at all as Jose Iglesias laced an RBI single to right field to tie the game, and then Mark Vientos got a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Lindor to put the Mets ahead, 4-3.

Then, Brandon Nimmo hit a no-doubter to right field for a two-run shot, his 23rd of the season, and suddenly the Mets had a 6-3 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Atlanta rallied against Phil Maton, who exited with two runners on and one out.

This forced the Mets to go to their closer, Edwin Diaz, and he got Gio Urshela to ground out to first base for the second out.

Then, Jared Kellenic, who once upon a time was traded by the Mets for Diaz, hit one along the first base line that Pete Alonso made a wonderful diving stop on. There was one problem: Diaz wasn't close to making it to first on time to complete the out.

Eli White came in to score to make it 6-4 Mets, and then Michael Harris II walked to load the bases.

Albies was up next, and he crushed one of the base of the fence in left field for a three-run double that suddenly put Atlanta back on top, 7-6.

Marcell Ozuna struck out to end the frame.

Atlanta turned to Pierce Johnson for the ninth, and Marte got a one-out single before Lindor crushed one again to center field - only this one went clear over the fence for a two-run homer to make it 8-7 Mets. That was the 33rd home run of the season for the MVP candidate, and it gave him 91 RBI.

Diaz returned for the bottom of the ninth, and he got Matt Olson to pop out to shortstop to start it.

Eli White then hit a single to center field and stole second base.

Laureano, who homered in the sixth, struck out this time and Travis d'Arnaud struck out to end this instant classic.

The Mets will face the San Diego Padres or Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card round starting Tuesday night. Each matchup, in which the Mets will be on the road for all three games, will have tantalizing storylines, as the Mets would seek revenge for the Padres knocking them out in this round two years ago, and Milwaukee is, of course, the team, that Mets Team President David Stearns led for nearly a decade. 

One of the biggest benefits of winning Game One is that they do not need Luis Severino to start the nightcap and he can instead start the opening game of the playoffs.

UPDATE: Atlanta won the nightcap, 3-0, so they will be off to San Diego for the Wild Card Series, while the Mets head to Milwaukee.