 The Mets ' losing streak late in the season led Jayson Stark to label them a " sinking ship " in a column on September 30 . However , the Mets broke this streak with a win over dominant pitcher Greg Maddux and then , following a loss , swept three games from the Pittsburgh Pirates . The sweep included a walk @-@ off win in the final game of the series . The Mets and Pirates were tied 1 – 1 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Pirates closer Brad Clontz threw a wild pitch which allowed Melvin Mora to score and win the game 2 – 1 , tying the Reds ' 96 – 66 record . The New York Daily News described this late @-@ season performance as an " agonizing roller coaster ride " for Mets fans . With the Mets and Reds holding the best non @-@ division winning records in the league a tie @-@ breaker was necessary to determine the wild @-@ card winner . Bob Costas said at the time he did not like the wild @-@ card system as he believed it " diminishes the drama and authenticity of a pennant race " , although he approved of the playoff teams in 1999 . Tim McCarver disagreed , arguing that the late @-@ season race between the Mets , Astros , and Reds showed the excitement a wild card can add to the season . A coin flip conducted earlier that September set the Reds ' home park of Cinergy Field as the location for the tie @-@ breaker game . 
