Francisco Lindor hit a home run and drove in two runs, David Peterson pitched seven brilliant innings and the Mets of New York were one victory away from qualifying for the playoffs by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 5-0 on Sunday. Brewers of Milwaukee.
Francisco Álvarez also drove in two runs for the Metswho travel to Atlanta for a doubleheader against their rival Braves to secure the wild card berth in the National League.
“We have a chance. We have to go out and play and we need one more (win). We feel good,” said Carlos Mendoza, the Venezuelan manager of the Mets. “Before the season, no one expected that we would be in this position and here we are with the opportunity to do something special.”
A sacrifice fly by Alvarez in the fifth stretched the lead to 4-0, and Lindor hit his 32nd home run leading off the sixth.
New York (88-72) could have qualified Sunday with a win and an Arizona loss, but the Diamondbacks (89-73) routed San Diego 11-2 to complete their regular season.
Monday’s games in Atlanta make up the games Mets-Bravos postponed Wednesday and Thursday due to rain from Hurricane Helene.
New York has the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks in its favor after winning the series between them 4-3 this season, so the Mets They can get into the playoffs with a sweep or by sharing victories.
Arizona needs a sweep of either the Braves (88-72) or the Mets.
If the Mets and Braves share wins, New York will be seeded sixth in the NL playoff picture and will have to return to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in a best-of-three series.
A sweep will allow Mets place fifth and travel to San Diego. As sixth, Arizona will go to Milwaukee.
A sweep by the Braves eliminates New York, while a sweep by the Mets will leave Atlanta out. The Braves will be fifth with a win or a sweep.
