Home · Sports · Sep 29 archive
Riley's Homer Lifts Braves to Game 1 Win Over Phillies
Confirmed
In Short: Austin Riley's three-run homer in the eighth inning secured the Braves' 5-3 victory over the Phillies in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series.
In a dramatic turn of events, Austin Riley's two-out, three-run homer in the eighth inning lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Riley's home run came off Phillies reliever Jhoan Duran, who had just entered the game after a review delay.
The homer was a 385-foot shot that cleared the right center field fence, turning the game in the Braves' favor.
Braves manager Walt Weiss expressed confidence in Riley despite his down season, noting his consistent mental approach.
Both starting pitchers, Braves' Chris Sale and Phillies' Jesús Luzardo, were excellent, with Sale pitching a playoff career-high 6⅓ innings and striking out nine batters.
Luzardo, who had a strong post-All-Star break record, may have been limited by an injury, as the Phillies placed him on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation.
The Phillies had briefly taken the lead in the seventh inning with a two-run triple from JT Realmuto, but Riley's timely hit proved decisive.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly did not commit to sending Duran back out for a third inning if the Phillies had maintained the lead.
The Phillies' season now hinges on their ace Cristopher Sanchez, who will take the mound for Game 2.
The Braves, who won the NL East by six games over the Phillies, will look to capitalize on their Game 1 victory.
If the Phillies win Game 2, the pitching plans for the decisive Game 3 will be uncertain.
What this adds
Riley's home run was off a 100-mph fastball from Duran, who was working his second inning.
The Braves' win increases their chances of advancing to the NLDS, as historically, teams that win Game 1 in the Wild Card series often advance.
What's confirmed
- Powered by Austin Riley 's two-out, three-run, go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, the Braves scored a dramatic 5-3 win in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series over the Phillies.
What's still developing
- "He gave us more [innings] than we thought he would, honestly," said Phillies manager Don Mattingly Rookie reliever Didier Fuentes relieved Sale and gave up Realmuto's triple, letting two inherited runners score.
- Weiss recognized similarities in the tight action when the Braves and Phillies match up in the playoffs.
- He turned on a 100-mph fastball from Duran, who was working his second inning for the Phillies, and drove it 385 feet.
- Luzardo, who had a 6-1 record and 1.84 ERA in 10 post-All-Star break starts, may not be able to go much longer... but he's kept the visiting Phillies in the game to this point.
- The Phillies just squeaked into the playoffs thanks to Zack Wheeler's gem in their regular-season finale, taking the final NL wild card spot over the hard-charging Arizona Diamondbacks.
- The Braves cruised into the postseason, winning the NL East by six games over the Phils.
- USA TODAY Sports provided live updates and highlights from Game 1 between the Phillies and Braves: Austin Riley had the worst season of his career:.219 average,.654 OPS and 201 strikeouts.
- On top of Austin Riley’s huge blast on Tuesday, Braves’ ace starter Chris Sale also turned in a very quality start.
- More MLB on Heavy: MLB World Reacts to Austin Riley Moment in Phillies-Braves Game Here is what Chris Sale had to say in the postgame presser after Austin Riley’s clutch moment: “I don’t think I’ve screamed that loud in a very long time.” Chris Sale’s final line on Tuesday against the Phillies was: 6.1 IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 9 K’s.
- More MLB on Heavy: Atlanta Braves Announce Tyler Mahle News After Dramatic Phillies Game Well, the Braves will have to ride that high from the game-one victory and quickly re-shift their focus to the next game, which will be on Wednesday afternoon….
- IF the Phillies happen to win on Wednesday, it’s unclear which direction both teams will go in terms of their respective pitching plans for the winner-takes-all game three.
- For the second straight September, the Phillies are facing the possibility of reaching the playoffs with a top-line starting pitcher on the injured list.