Mets reclaim playoff position after stunning win over Cubs

Tuesday's improbable comeback against the Cubs

Starter David Peterson got knocked out after 1.1 ineffective innings (five earned runs on five hits and two walks), and the Amazins trailed 6-1 after the fourth inning. Another loss would have been a significant blow to their playoff hopes.

Instead, the deficit disappeared in the fifth inning, when Brandon Nimmo's three-run homer capped a five-run rally in the frame.

The Cubbies retook the lead in the sixth inning before Francisco Alvarez stepped to the plate in the eighth. Alvarez, who has battled injuries and a midseason demotion to the minors this season, blasted a two-run round-tripper to give the Mets the lead for good.

The Mets never quit, and their late-game heroics have put them in a great position to make the playoffs for the third time in four years.

According to ESPN Research, the Mets lost their previous 80 games when down by five runs or more.

Closing stretch of the season

The Mets will sweat it out to see if they're returning to the postseason. They got the win, and the Reds loss, that they needed on Tuesday to get back into the driver's seat. But the Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks are just one game back with five games to go, so the National League playoff field is still up in the air, and will remain so for at least a few more days.