NEW YORK _ The Mets were barely breathing, but Michael Conforto pumped life into them _ at least for now. The dream is still alive, officially, but it is not looking good.
While the Mets trailed the Marlins by two runs late, the Brewers defeated the Reds, meaning New York had to win or it would be mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. Reality began to set in as the Mets faced their final three outs. Do or die.
That's when Conforto smashed his second two-run shot of the game, a 446-foot bomb off Jose Urena in the ninth inning. To that point, Conforto accounted for all of the Mets' scoring.
And then, in the 11th, Conforto walked to begin the game-winning rally. Amed Rosario was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch put runners on second and third. The Marlins decided to intentionally walk Todd Frazier, which loaded the bases.
Brandon Nimmo drew a walk-off walk. On brand, he threw the bat and sprinted to first, where his teammates mobbed him after a 5-4 win.
Credit the Mets bullpen for keeping them in the game after inheriting a 4-0 deficit. Chris Mazza, Luis Avilan, Seth Lugo, Justin Wilson, Jeurys Familia and Paul Sewald combined to shut out the Marlins after Noah Syndergaard exited.
Without them, the Mets' season would probably be done now.
The Mets were listless for most of the game. Their energy matched the bleak circumstances, save for Conforto.
Syndergaard allowed four runs for the fourth consecutive start. With the catcher fiasco, it's important to note he's had three different catchers over that span.
Though, in fairness to Syndergaard, know that one run probably was not his fault. A Marlin scored on a weak grounder to the right side because Pete Alonso did not look home as the opponent raced around third and to the plate.
It did not help that, as Syndergaard allowed those runs on 10 hits over five innings, his offense tallied three hits against Sandy Alcantara. Zero energy.
Conforto later smashed a two-run shot off Alcantara in the seventh, and at the time, it seemed like it came too late.
It did not.
He had another in him. Then New York completed the comeback.
The Mets still have a chance, if only mathematically. Their odds are not good as their tragic number sits at one, but they haven't been eliminated yet.
The Mets may have barely escaped on Tuesday, but the math should catch up to them soon. The Brewers' magic number is one.
Make no mistake: The Mets' season is still on life support.
