CHICAGO -- Even as the Mets struggle to close out a playoff berth, they cannot say they’ve lacked for lucky breaks.

They received a big one in the first inning Thursday at Wrigley Field after putting two men in scoring position with one out. The next batter, Mark Vientos, hit a popup behind third base, where both Matt Shaw and Dansby Swanson chased after it in foul ground. As the two converged, Shaw bumped Swanson and fell down. Swanson then caught the ball while falling into the stands.

As he did, Swanson flipped the ball back to Shaw, who fired home to cut down Francisco Lindor at the plate.

Or not.

Rule 5.07(b)(3)(C) states that “if a fielder, after having made a legal catch, should step or fall into any out-of-play area, the ball is dead and each runner shall advance one base, wi

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