MILWAUKEE — Mark Vientos hit a tiebreaking, two-run single during a five-run outburst in the fifth inning as the indefatigable New York Mets continued their thrilling week by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 in an NL Wild Card Series opener Tuesday.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. They played 18 innings on Monday against the Braves, including an 8-7 thriller that played on all of the emotions from anxiety to hysteria to trepidation to euphoria.