ATLANTA – Francisco Lindor hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning as the New York Mets clinched a wild-card playoff spot in the National League 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, played as a high-stakes doubleheader the day after the scheduled end of the regular season. The games are in addition to the two wiped out by Hurricane Helene last week.

The Braves appeared to be on their way to victory and led 3-0 before a see-saw in the eighth inning.

The Mets scored 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 he could appear in Game 2 for Atlanta.

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

That only set the stage for Lindor’s heroics in the ninth inning.

Starling Marte singled with one out off Pierce Johnson and Lindor delivered his 33rd homer — a drive into the Braves bullpen in right-center — as the Mets advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The team has won only one playoff. game since their 2015 World Series appearance.

The Braves can still clinch the final undecided wild-card spot with a win in Game 2, but projected starter Chris Sale suffered back spasms. Instead, Grant Holmes gets the start for Atlanta vs. Luis Severino of the Mets.

If Atlanta loses Game 2, the Arizona Diamondbacks would earn the final playoff spot in the National League.

Edwin Diaz (6-4) earned the victory in Game 1 with a season-high 40 pitches despite giving up Albies’ go-ahead hit, which came after the Mets closer failed to cover first on a play that left Jarred Kelenic was able to reach base with a two. -out infield hit.

The Braves had the potential tying run at second in the ninth, but Díaz struck out Ramon Laureano and retired Travis d’Arnaud on a grounder to shortstop.

Díaz slammed his glove to the ground and the Mets briefly celebrated behind the mound after becoming baseball’s newest playoff team.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.