Mets 8 Braves 7 (Truist Park, Atlanta, GA)
Mets record: 89-72
Mets streak: Won 2
WP - Edwin Diaz (6-4)
LP - Pierce Johnson (6-6)
Seat on the Korner: Francisco Lindor
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Today's seat on the Korner goes to none other than Francisco Lindor, the undisputed MVP of the New York Mets and a serious contender for National League MVP. Lindor delivered the biggest hit the Mets have seen in quite some time, cementing his status as the team's most clutch performer.
After the Mets carried a 6-3 lead into the bottom of the eighth, disaster struck when closer Edwin Díaz surrendered four runs, putting the Braves ahead and dealing the Mets a crushing blow. Heading into the ninth, the Mets found themselves trailing by one. The inning began on a sour note with Francisco Álvarez popping out to third, leaving just two outs for the Mets to stage a rally. Starling Marte then singled, setting the stage for Francisco Lindor to work his late-inning magic once again.
With the game—and the season—hanging in the balance, Lindor stepped to the plate and launched Pierce Johnson’s pitch over the fence for a dramatic two-run homer, his third RBI of the day. RBI number 91, however, was by far the most important of the season, as it propelled the Mets to victory and clinched their spot in the postseason. Lindor’s heroics not only saved the day but electrified the team’s playoff hopes, cementing his legacy as the heartbeat of this Mets squad.
Need to Know
Of course it all would come down to this after yesterdays play which had the Diamondbacks winning and the Braves losing, It set up a scenario where both Atlanta and the Mets need to win one of the games of the makeup doubleheader to eliminate Arizona and make the wild card round.
Spencer Schwellenbach got the nod to start Game 1 for Atlanta, he also started for the Braves against the Mets last Tuesday.allowing three hits and one run over 7.0 innings in that start to earn the win, and entered the game a perfect 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA (1 ER/14.0 IP) in two turns versus NewYork this season.
Tylor Megill started the crucial game for the Mets, Coming into the game he allowed three runs or fewer in each of his final eight starts of the 2023 season dating back to August 16, the longest such streak of his career as a starter...He went 5.2 giving up 3 runs .In September, Megill pitched to a 3.08 ERA (12 ER/35 IP),
The last time the Mets played a doubleheader on the final day of the regular season was in 1983 at home vs. Montreal..
Pete Alonso has appeared in all 161 Mets games this year...He would become the third Mets player to appear in every single game, joining Félix Millán (1975) and John Olerud (1999)...This marks the third time in his career he has appeared in 160 or more games (also, 2019 & 2022)...He ties his career-best of 161 games during his rookie year in 2019.
Jose Iglesias extended his current hitting streak to 21 .It is the longest hitting streak of his career and it is the longest streak by a Mets player this year... His previous high was an 18-game streak from May 27-June 18, 2013 with the Red Sox... The last time a Mets player had a longer streak was Wilson Ramos, when he recorded a 26-game hitting streak from August 3-September 3, 2019.
The Mets entered today 0-47 when trailing by 3+ runs in 8th or later this season they’d lost 77 straight such games...last win 5/17/23, 48th time is the charm
The win evens the season series at 6-6 record in 12 total games between the clubs the season. The Braves have taken the season series from their NL East rivals for six consecutive seasons, and must now do so to advance to the post season. Prior to last year’s 10-3 mark, they went 10-9 in both 2022 & 2021, 7-3 in 2020, 11-8 in 2019 and 13-6 in 2018...Since the start of the 2018 season.
Turning Point
No question, the turning point of the game was Francisco Lindor’s dramatic two-run homer in the ninth inning, which not only put the Mets ahead 8-7 but also secured their spot in the postseason. With the Mets trailing by one run after a disastrous eighth inning where closer Edwin Díaz gave up four runs, the team needed a spark.
With just two outs to work with after Francisco Álvarez popped out, Starling Marte singled, bringing Lindor to the plate. The Mets' MVP seized the moment, launching a towering home run over the fence off Braves reliever Pierce Johnson, turning the game—and the season—around.
Unsung Hero: Tyrone Taylor's Clutch Hits Flip the Script, should not be overlooked.
Tyrone Taylor, whose timely hits bookended Spencer Schwellenbach's otherwise dominant outing and played a critical role in the Mets' comeback. Taylor was responsible for the Mets' first hit off Schwellenbach, a quirky cue shot in the top of the third inning that rolled back into fair territory for an infield single, breaking up what had been a flawless start.
Fast forward to the eighth inning, with Schwellenbach cruising and Braves manager Brian Snitker sending him out to start the inning with a 3-0 lead—the first time Schwellenbach had ever pitched in the eighth. Once again, it was Taylor who disrupted his rhythm. In an epic 11-pitch at-bat, Taylor drove up Schwellenbach’s pitch count before smashing a double into the gap. That hit not only ended Schwellenbach’s night but also ignited a dormant Mets offense, which exploded for six runs in the inning, turning the game on its head. Taylor’s persistence at the plate was the spark that knocked Schwellenbach out of the game and swung the momentum momentarily in favor of the Mets, making him the unsung hero of the day.
Don't Blame Spencer
Spencer Schwellenbach delivered back-to-back dominant performances against the Mets in a crucial three-game series. In Game 1 last Tuesday, he pitched 7.0 strong innings, allowing just three hits and one run, earning the win for the Braves. This impressive outing set the tone for a standout week, as rainouts shuffled the schedule and led to today's doubleheader.
Schwellenbach took the mound again in the second game, repeating his success. He threw another 7.0 innings, giving up only four hits and one run while striking out five. While his bullpen faltered and cost him a potential third win of the season against the Mets, Schwellenbach’s dominance remains clear. He now holds a remarkable 0.85 ERA (2 earned runs over 21.0 innings) in his career against the Mets. His mastery of their lineup has been instrumental in the Braves' postseason push, proving his ability to thrive under pressure while consistently delivering results.
Oh Sugar
Manager Carlos Mendoza has preached all season that the Mets will only go as far as Edwin Díaz can take them, and his faith was tested in one of the most chaotic moments of the season. In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the Mets holding a 6-3 lead, Díaz entered the game in relief of Phil Maton. Things unraveled quickly. After a groundout by Gio Urshela, Díaz faced pinch-hitter Jarred Kelenic—ironically, the player the Mets traded to acquire him. Kelenic hit a slow roller that should have been the third out, but Díaz failed to cover first base after Pete Alonso made a diving stop, allowing Eli White to score and extend the inning. From there, the nightmare continued as Michael Harris II walked, and Ozzie Albies hit a bases-clearing double to give the Braves a 7-6 lead.
Despite this disastrous sequence, Mendoza showed remarkable confidence in his closer. He not only sent Díaz out to start the ninth but made a mound visit where Díaz insisted it was his game to finish. Díaz, determined to redeem himself, delivered a tense but scoreless ninth inning. After getting Matt Olson to pop out, he allowed a single to Eli White, who stole second, but then struck out Ramón Laureano and got Travis d'Arnaud to ground out, sealing the Mets' 8-7 victory after Francisco Lindor's go-ahead home run.
Kudos to Mendoza for sticking with Díaz despite the disastrous eighth. Had Díaz faltered again, Mendoza would have faced endless second-guessing from fans and the media. Instead, his decision paid off, showing his belief in Díaz's resilience and leadership in critical moments.
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