Mets Get Swept Out of Playoffs

A disastrous final week for the New York Mets ended with a miserable last day, as they were eliminated from the playoffs with a 7-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at Atlanta.

The Mets had a one-game lead in the National League wild-card race going into their final five games and lost all five, scoring only seven runs in their last 44 innings.

The Mets were vying for their first postseason appearance since 1988.

The Mets dropped out of a three-way tie by losing to Atlanta, 4-0, on Saturday, and could have moved back into a tie had they won on Sunday since the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants lost.

During the three days in Atlanta, the Mets stranded 32 runners--11 on Sunday--and left the bases loaded four times.

On Sunday, after falling behind, 5-0, the Mets closed to 5-2 in the seventh and had the tying run at the plate with one out. But Mike Piazza--who stranded 15 runners in the series--struck out against Dennis Martinez, and Brian McRae went down swinging against John Rocker.

Piazza, eligible for free agency after the season, ended the game by popping out to second.

San Diego 3, Arizona 2--Greg Vaughn became the fourth player to hit 50 homers this season and Trevor Hoffman got his major league-leading 53rd save as the Padres closed the regular season with a victory at Phoenix.

Vaughn joined Mark McGwire (70), Sammy Sosa (66) and Ken Griffey Jr. (56) in the 50-homer club. Before this year, there had never been more than two 50-homer players in a single season.

Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 1--The Reds ended their season with a family picnic at home, putting together the majors’ first all-brother infield--two Larkins, two Boones. And Aaron Boone hit a three-run homer.

The Reds called up Stephen Larkin--the younger brother of Barry--earlier in the day, and the Larkins teamed with the Boones--Aaron and Bret--for the all-brother infield--Stephen at first, Bret at second, Barry at shortstop and Aaron at third.

Florida 6-3, Philadelphia 5-7--Ruben Amaro Jr., playing his final major league game before becoming the Phillies’ assistant general manager, singled home the go-ahead run as Phillies got a doubleheader split at Miami by winning the second game.

The Marlins won the first game and finished at 54-108, the worst record in 19 years and the worst ever for a defending World Series champion.