Mets secure playoff spot with Francisco Lindor's home run in the ninth inning

ATLANTA — For most of the afternoon and then after an Edwin Diaz implosion, it seemed like “OMG” — another play — was what the Mets needed.

Francisco Lindor gave “OMG” a different meaning with a ninth-inning hit that sent the Mets into the postseason with an 8-7 victory over the Braves in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

Lindor's two-run home run gave the Mets the runs they needed for their 89th win, their magic number earlier in the day for a National League wild-card berth.

In an epic finish, the Mets rallied from a 3-0 deficit with six runs in the eighth. Diaz came in at the bottom of the field with a five-out save on the line and coughed up the ball. That included his failure to cover first base on Jarred Kelenic's grounder before losing the strike zone and allowing a three-run double to Ozzie Albies.

After Lindor's blast gave the Mets the lead, Diaz came back for the ninth and got the final three outs. The game ended with the score tied at second base. Diaz pulled out his glove to begin the celebration.

The Mets' wild-card series opponent depends on how they perform in the nightcap. A win would mean facing the Padres tomorrow in San Diego. A loss would mean returning to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. The Braves needed a win in the night cap to clinch the remaining wild card spot or the spot would belong to the Diamondbacks.

Spencer Hügelbach frustrated the Mets with seven excellent innings, but after the right-hander was removed, the party began. The highlight was Brandon Nimmo's three-run blast off Raisel Iglesias that gave the Mets a 6-3 lead. Francisco Alvarez had an RBI double in the inning and Lindor contributed an RBI single.

Tylor Megill kept the Mets in the game by allowing three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander allowed eight hits and walked two, but also struck out eight. The right-hander made his first start since September 22nd.

Albies delivered a two-run home run in the third that gave the Mets a 2-0 lead. Megill allowed a leadoff single to Michael Harris II before Albies hit a slider to hit the ball and clear the left field fence. Megill had to work to get through the inning after Matt Olson and Ramon Laureano each singled and moved to second and third on Francisco Alvarez's pass. But Megill beat Travis d'Arnaud to escape.

Tyrone Taylor's infield single in the second was the Mets' only hit in the first four innings. Taylor's squib launched several yards into the foul along the first base line and then made a dramatic left turn to stop in Fair territory. But Schlafenbach retired the next three batters.

The Mets started their first legitimate rally in the fifth when Pete Alonso and JD Martinez each led off individually. The runners reached second and third for the second time on Alvarez's swinging bunt before Wechselbach eliminated Harrison Bader.

Laureano's home run in the sixth increased the Mets' deficit to 3-0. It came after two consecutive innings in which Megill faced the minimum number of batters. Megill was removed after allowing a two-out single to Gio Urshela in the sixth. Heoscar Brazoban came in and accompanied Orlando Arcia before taping the finale.