Scherzer gets 200th career win as Mets clinch playoff berth

The New York Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 on Monday to stamp their first postseason ticket since 2016.

Max Scherzer threw six perfect innings in his first start since returning from the injured list with left oblique irritation. The 38-year-old was removed after 68 pitches and earned his 200th career win.

The offense was sparked by Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Eduardo Escobar. Lindor and Escobar had multi-hit days, while Alonso crushed a three-run homer off of Brewers ace Corbin Burnes in the fourth inning.

"We understand this is not the end goal, but it's part of our destiny," Lindor said, according to Fox Sports' Deesha Thosar.

Steve Cohen echoed Lindor's sentiment. The Mets owner called clinching a playoff spot the "first step" with more to come, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Cohen hasn't shied away from spending to make the Mets better. They're on track to have the highest payroll in baseball for the first time since 1989. Their 93 wins are the most since 2006 and they still have 13 games remaining.

It's the club's first season under manager Buck Showalter, who remained low-key after the victory but said he has plans for the future if things go well.

New York has won five straight games and leads the National League East with a 94-55 record. The Atlanta Braves trail the Mets by one game for the division lead.