Jose Iglesias' headfirst slide into first base led to Mets' five-run inning in Game 1 win

Game 1 of the Mets' Wild Card Series with the Brewers didn't start the way they wanted.

starter Luis Severino allowed two runs in the first inning before allowing two more runs in the fourth inning that wiped out the Mets' 3-2 lead. It was possible that Tuesday would be a disappointing game after Monday's exciting win in Atlanta – until Jose Iglesias came to the plate in the fifth inning.

With two outs and runners on first and second, the veteran infielder struck out the first pitch from the right-hander Joel Payamps and took it to the first baseman Rhys Hoskinswho made a clever jump. Iglesias made it out of the box and it was a race to first base between him and Payamps.

The 34-year-old was stride for stride with the 30-year-old Payamps before the infielder dove headfirst and touched first base before the right-hander stepped on the bag. Tyrone Taylorwho ran all the way from second, slid into home plate and tied the game.

“I didn’t make the decision to slide,” Iglesias said. “I felt like I was going to beat the pitcher there and that was the only way. I’m diving right there with my heart.”

“Seems like he does something like that every game.” Francisco Lindor said of Iglesias. “He is a very special player. His last three, two at-bats per game, are very high quality at-bats. He definitely helped us get into this position.”

Although that infield hit was Iglesias' only hit on Tuesday, it was arguably the biggest. Not only did it ensure the game ended in a tie, for which he credits Taylor's base run, it also set up the biggest inning of the night.

Brandon Nimmo followed Iglesias' single with one of his own to load the bases. Mark VientosIn his first postseason game, he hit a two-run single to give the Mets the lead, and then, after that Pete Alonso was deliberately run, JD Martinez He hit a two-run single of his own to give the Mets an 8-4 lead for good, capping a five-run inning.

In an inning with so many crucial moments, many Mets pointed to Iglesias' infield single as the catalyst.

“That was the biggest turning point of the game,” Martinez said. “Hats off to Iggy. He’s always in there, that’s what got us to this (inning).”

Impressive for a ballplayer who was no longer in baseball before signing a minor league contract with the Mets in the offseason.

He has become one of the most important and important players for the 2024 Mets. In 85 regular season games, he batted .337 with an OBP of .381 and an OPS of .829, not to mention the excellent defense he brings to the table. So when he was asked if he wasn't with a club and had to sign the minor league contract to even have a chance, Iglesias thought about it but decided to look to the future.

“I don’t think the game treated me fairly, but I got this chance and everything that’s in the past is in the past,” Iglesias said. “I am here today to help this great organization and our great team. I accept it, I grab this opportunity with both hands and don’t let it go.”

Iglesias will try to help the Mets clinch a spot in the NLDS with a win on Wednesday night in Milwaukee.