Mets turn last strike magic into inspiring comeback thanks to brutal Nolan Arenado error

The New York Mets were one strike away from losing to the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead, they orchestrated a magical comeback to win 5-2.

The New York Mets took on the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday for the start of their three-game series. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the eighth inning after outfielder Tyler O’Neill hit a two-run single off of reliever Trevor May to give the Cardinals a late 2-0 lead.

In the top of the ninth, the Mets had infielder Eduardo Escobar on second with outfielder Mark Canha stepping up to the plate. With two outs on the board and a full count, Canha hit a ground ball to St. Louis third baseman Nolan Arenado, who threw it over the head of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, allowing Escobar to score.

This was just the start of a magical comeback by the Mets.

Mets turn last strike magic into inspiring comeback thanks to brutal Nolan Arenado error

Second baseman Jeff McNeil got on base with a double and allowed pinch-runner Travis Jankowski to advance to third. Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith sent the ball to Goldschmidt, who dove to secure the ball and threw it to pitcher Giovanny Gallegos at first, but Smith touched the bag to be safe following a slide. That subsequently allowed both McNeil and Jankowski to score, giving the New York a late 3-2 lead.

Things only got better for the Mets in the next at-bat. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo sent the first pitch thrown by T.J. McFarland into the right-field stands, extending New York’s lead to 5-2.

New York clinched the 5-2 win in the bottom of the ninth inning after closer Edwin Diaz recorded two strikeouts, the last of which coming on four pitches to Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader.

This game will be looked back on fondly by Mets fans, who are certainly enjoying the team’s early-season success.