Mets eliminated from postseason as Reds win tiebreaker on final day

The New York Mets were eliminated from postseason contention Sunday after a 4-0 loss to the Miami Marlins left them tied with the Cincinnati Reds at 83-79, with the Reds advancing on a head-to-head tiebreaker. Team owner Steve Cohen issued an apology to fans on social media, writing, "We didn't do our part," and calling the result "unacceptable."

The Mets entered the final day of the regular season needing a win and a Reds loss to secure the National League's third wild card spot. Cincinnati did lose to the Milwaukee Brewers, but the Mets were unable to capitalize. Manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game, "We put ourselves in this position. Here we are. We've got to come back tomorrow and the next. We've got to win the next two, and see what happens," remarks that reflected the urgency the club had faced in recent weeks.

The disappointment carries financial and roster implications. New York's adjusted payroll for the season was roughly $341 million, the second-highest in Major League Baseball, and the club signed outfielder Juan Soto this offseason to a 15-year, $765 million contract. Soto told reporters after the elimination, "It's a failure. When you don't make the playoffs...