Mets inch closer to wild-card spot after defeating Red Sox

NEW YORK — Luis Severino pitched seven crisp innings, Francisco Lindor sparked New York’s lineup again and the surging Mets inched closer to a playoff spot by beating the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Monday night.

Brandon Nimmo hit an RBI double and saved a run with a terrific catch for the Mets, who have won five straight and 12 of 17 to move within a half-game of idle Atlanta for the final National League wild card.

Greeted with “MVP! MVP!” chants throughout New York’s first home game following a 7-3 trip, Lindor singled twice and was plunked by a pitch. His second base hit scored Luis Torrens to make it 4-1 in the fourth.

Lindor has reached base in a career-high 31 consecutive games and is riding a 13-game hitting streak, his longest of the season. He is batting .305 with 22 homers and 60 RBIs since moving into the leadoff spot on May 18.

At 74-64, the Mets are 10 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2022 season. They were 11 games under .500 on June 2.

Severino (10-6) allowed one run and six hits. He struck out five walked two and threw 66 of his 100 pitches for strikes. The right-hander has given up two runs or fewer in five of his nine second-half starts.

Danny Young retired Rafael Devers on a grounder to strand two runners in the eighth. Phil Maton struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth for his fifth career save, third this season and first for the Mets since they acquired him from Tampa Bay for cash on July 9.

Maton also became the 10th Mets pitcher to earn a save this season, tying a franchise record.

Jarren Duran had an RBI single in the third for the slumping Red Sox, held to one run for the third game in a row. Boston is 4 1/2 games back of Kansas City for the third AL wild card.

Brayan Bello (12-7) gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: SS Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder) went 0 for 3 with Triple-A Worcester in his second rehab game.

Mets: DH J.D. Martinez was placed on the paternity list. OF DJ Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and went 1 for 3 in his first major league action since July 27. … RHP Kodai Senga (left calf strain) is close to throwing off a mound and said he hopes to return to the Mets when he is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on Sept. 25. Senga, who has made all 30 of his big league appearances as a starter, said he’d be open to pitching out of the bullpen.

UP NEXT

Red Sox RHP Kutter Crawford (8-12, 4.12 ERA) is scheduled to face Mets LHP David Peterson (8-1, 2.83) in the middle game of the series Tuesday night.

The New York Mets took a significant step towards securing a wild-card spot in the MLB playoffs after defeating the Boston Red Sox in a thrilling matchup. The Mets’ victory not only helped them inch closer to clinching a spot in the postseason but also showcased their resilience and determination as they continue to fight for a chance at the World Series.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading blows throughout the nine innings. The Mets’ offense came alive early on, scoring runs in the first few innings to take an early lead. However, the Red Sox quickly responded with some timely hits of their own, tying the game and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

It was the Mets’ pitching staff that ultimately proved to be the difference-maker in this game. Their ace starter delivered a dominant performance, shutting down the Red Sox’s potent lineup and giving his team a chance to come out on top. The bullpen also stepped up when called upon, holding off any late-game rallies from Boston and securing the win for the Mets.

With this victory, the Mets now find themselves just a few games back from securing a wild-card spot in the playoffs. Their recent hot streak has propelled them up the standings, and they are now within striking distance of their goal. The team’s confidence is at an all-time high, and they are determined to continue their winning ways as they push towards the postseason.

As the regular season winds down, every game becomes crucial for teams vying for a playoff spot. The Mets know that they cannot afford to let up now and must continue to play at a high level if they want to secure their place in the postseason. With their recent performance against the Red Sox, it is clear that they have what it takes to compete with the best teams in the league and make a deep run in the playoffs.

Fans of the Mets are buzzing with excitement as their team inches closer to clinching a wild-card spot. The energy and passion surrounding the team are palpable, and everyone is eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for this talented group of players. With each win, the Mets are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with, and they are ready to make some noise in the postseason.