Braves Rally Past Phillies 5-3 in NL Wild Card Opener Behind Austin Riley’s Late Three-Run Homer

Austin Riley Delivers Game Changing Blast

The Atlanta Braves rallied late to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three matchup. Austin Riley delivered the decisive blow in the eighth inning, hitting a three-run homer off Phillies All-Star closer Jhoan Duran to put Atlanta ahead for good.

Duran had allowed only two home runs over 61 regular-season appearances, but the Braves put together a critical rally against Philadelphia’s best reliever. Michael Harris II singled before Duran hit Ozzie Albies with a pitch, setting the stage for Riley’s go-ahead blast that sailed over the wall in right-center field.

The homer capped a particularly satisfying moment for Riley after a frustrating regular season in which he hit just .219 with 19 home runs. Braves ace Chris Sale said Riley never allowed his struggles at the plate to affect his approach to the game. Harris finished with three hits for Atlanta, helping spark a Braves offense that remained within striking distance before breaking through late.

Sale and Luzardo Duel Early

The game began as a pitchers’ duel between Atlanta’s Sale and Philadelphia left-hander Jesús Luzardo. Luzardo entered the game after missing time late in the regular season because of left shoulder inflammation. He was expected to make a relatively short start, but he delivered considerably more than anticipated, allowing one run over five innings while throwing 77 pitches.

Luzardo surrendered three hits and struck out six, keeping the Braves’ offense under control before Philadelphia eventually turned to its bullpen. Sale also kept Atlanta in the game early. Alec Bohm gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the first inning when he drove a high fastball from Sale for a run-scoring double over Harris in center field.

Sale did not allow another hit until Edmundo Sosa doubled with two outs in the fifth inning. The Braves eventually pulled even before Albies put Atlanta ahead in the sixth. His drive off Alex McFarlane became a tiebreaking triple for a 2-1 lead after center fielder Derek Hill attempted a leaping catch at the wall. Hill appeared to jump too high on the play, with the ball striking his wrist below his glove and bouncing away.

Phillies Rally in Seventh Before Braves Answer

Philadelphia regained the lead in the seventh inning, taking advantage of a tiring Sale and Atlanta’s bullpen. Sale hit Bryan De La Cruz with one out before allowing a single to Bryson Stott. Sale’s night ended after three runs, as Atlanta turned to right-hander Didier Fuentes.

J.T. Realmuto then put Philadelphia ahead 3-2 with a two-run triple into the right-field corner. Ronald Acuña Jr. bobbled the ball near the wall, though he was not charged with an error. The Phillies appeared to have seized control, but Atlanta answered in the eighth.

Phillies manager Don Mattingly brought Duran into the game in the seventh, apparently hoping the 28-year-old could record six outs and protect the lead. Duran had made only one multi-inning appearance during the regular season.

Instead, his outing ended with Riley’s three-run homer, turning a 3-2 Phillies lead into a 5-3 Atlanta advantage. The result continued a troubling late-season trend for Philadelphia’s bullpen. Phillies relievers posted a 5.79 ERA in September, the highest mark in the majors.

Braves One Win From Advancing

Dylan Lee earned the win after throwing a scoreless eighth inning, and Raisel Iglesias closed out the ninth for the save. Atlanta can now clinch the series Wednesday and eliminate Philadelphia from the postseason.

The victory also gives the Braves an opportunity to end Philadelphia’s recent postseason success in the NL East rivalry. The Phillies defeated Atlanta in the 1993 NLCS before eliminating the Braves in the 2022 and 2023 National League Division Series.

Game 2 Preview

The Braves will send right-hander Tyler Mahle to the mound Wednesday with a chance to close out the series. Mahle went 7-10 with a 3.99 ERA overall this season but was 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA in nine games with Atlanta.

The Phillies are expected to counter with left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who finished the regular season 18-7 with a 2.91 ERA. With Philadelphia facing elimination, the second game of the series will determine whether the Braves advance or the Phillies force a decisive third game.