SUMMARY MATCH NO. 1
SUMMARY MATCH NO. 2
The New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves completed the National Series portrait on Monday, having each won a game in their doubleheader.
The real losers were the Diamondbacks, who needed two wins from the same club to extend their campaign.
Arizona represented the Nationals in the World Series in 2023.
The Mets scored a spectacular 8-7 victory, then the Braves responded with a 3-0 victory.
In Game 1, Francisco Lindor hit a two-run homer in the ninth and the Mets held on.
The doubleheader served to establish which two other clubs qualified for the playoffs, among the trio of additional teams in this regard.
In this “second top 3” race, the San Diego Padres finished in first place by a good margin.
Down 0-3 in the eighth, the Mets scored six runs in this inning, started with five straight hits.
A sacrifice fly from Mark Vientos made it 4-3, then Brandon Nimmo added a long two-run homer against shortstop Raisel Iglesias.
In their next at-bat, the Braves regained the lead with four runs, a charge punctuated by a three-run double from Ozzie Albies.
The Mets were not going to stay silent.
In the ninth, Starling Marte hit a single against Pierce Johnson (7-5), then Lindor hit his 33rd home run of the season.
“It seemed like it was going in slow motion,” Lindor said. I got the shot I wanted. »
Shortstop Edwin Diaz (6-4) got the job done in the bottom of the ninth, closing the books with a runner on second base.
Craftsman of five outs, Diaz needed 40 shots, a high for him this season.
Braves rookie Spencer Schwellenbach excelled in seven innings, allowing one run and four hits.
He struck out five batters and did not allow a walk.
Albies and Ramon Laureano hit home runs for the Braves.
Defeated in their first five games this year, the Mets were 22-33 on May 29. The Los Angeles Dodgers were coming off a sweep at Citi Field.
After that May 29 loss, Lindor called a players’ meeting.
“Everyone was free to express themselves about how to do better,” Nimmo said. Something had to happen. »
The goal was achieved because after this meeting, the Mets led major league baseball with a record of 67-39.
They will begin a two-of-three series Tuesday in Milwaukee.
The same day, the Braves will be in San Diego for the start of this series.
In Game 2 on Monday, Gio Urshela hit a one-run single in the second, then Marcell Ozuna added a two-run single in the seventh.
The Mets only had three hits.
Joey Lucchesi (0-2) was the loser. Daysbel Hernandez (3-0) was the winner, while Iglesias provided a 34th save.
“All you have in mind is getting to the playoffs,” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said. No matter what was necessary. If we had to play four matches in a day, we would have done it. »
“I’m so proud of all the guys,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. It takes the effort of the whole team to get here.”
