Mets use five-run fifth to top Brewers in Game 1

MILWAUKEE -- Mark Vientos and J.D. Martinez each had two-run singles to fuel a five-run fifth inning rally and pace the New York Mets to an 8-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday in Game 1 of a National League wild-card series.

The Mets, who did not secure a postseason berth until winning the first game of a make-up doubleheader against Atlanta on Monday, twice came from behind against the NL Central champion Brewers. New York, the No. 6 seed, can clinch the series Wednesday night.

The third-seeded Brewers, who took two of three from the Mets in their final regular-season series, are 1-9 in playoff games since losing Game 7 of the 2018 National League Championship Series to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Last season, Milwaukee was swept at home last season by Arizona in the wild-card series after winning the division.

The Mets erupted for five runs in the fifth off the Brewers bullpen to go in front 8-4. Tyrone Taylor doubled with one out off Joel Payamps (0-1), who relieved Freddy Peralta to start the inning. Francisco Lindor walked with two outs and Jose Iglesias beat out a dribbler to the right side for an RBI single to tie it 4-all.

Aaron Ashby entered for Milwaukee and Brandon Nimmo singled to load the bases. Vientos followed with a two-run single to make it 6-4. Pete Alonso was walked intentionally and Martinez delivered a two-run pinch-hit single.

It marked the most runs in a playoff inning for the Mets since a six-run outburst in the 2006 NLCS against St. Louis.

Luis Severino (1-0) battled through six innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. He struck out three, walked two and hit a batter in a 105-pitch outing. Jose Butto followed with two spotless innings and Ryne Stanek pitched a perfect ninth.

The Brewers removed Peralta after he allowed three runs on two hits in four innings.

Milwaukee scored twice in the fourth to go up 4-3. Sal Frelick, questionable after limping off the field with a bruised hip Friday, doubled to open and Brice Turang had an infield single. Jackson Chourio tied it with an RBI single and William Contreras added an RBI groundout.

The Mets erased a 2-0 deficit with three runs in second. Vientos singled and Alonso walked. Jesse Winker, hitless in his previous 15 at-bats, followed with a two-run triple to right. Starling Marte added a sacrifice fly.

The Brewers opened with three consecutive hits off Severino for a run in the first. Rhys Hoskins was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a second run.

--Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media