Mets rally past Braves in Game 1 thriller, clinch NL playoff spot

ATLANTA —  Francisco Lindor belted a two-run home run in the ninth inning as the New York Mets clinched a National League wild-card playoff berth with a wild 8-7 victory against the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader.

It was Game 161 of 162 for both teams, being played as a high-stakes doubleheader on the day after the scheduled end of the regular season. The games are a makeup for the two wiped out last week by Hurricane Helene.

The Braves appeared to be cruising to victory, leading 3-0 before a seesaw eighth inning began.

The Mets posted six runs in the top of the inning, punctuated by Brandon Nimmo’s two-run home run. Braves closer Raisel Iglesias gave up the homer and was pulled after 12 pitches, keeping alive the chance that he could appear in Game 2 for Atlanta.

The Braves surged back with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, capped by Ozzie Albies’ three-run double with two outs off Mets closer Edwin Diaz for a 7-6 lead.