The Atlanta Braves delivered a devastating late-inning punch Tuesday, rallying from behind to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park.
For seven innings, Philadelphia appeared to have the game under control. Then Austin Riley changed everything.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Riley launched a three-run home run off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran, turning a 3-2 Philadelphia advantage into a 5-3 Atlanta lead. The blast traveled 385 feet to right-center and became the defining moment of the postseason opener.
Luzardo Delivers in His Return
Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo gave Philadelphia exactly what it needed.
Making his first start in three weeks after dealing with left shoulder inflammation, Luzardo limited Atlanta to one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out six and walked one while throwing 77 pitches.
Atlanta countered with veteran ace Chris Sale, who turned in a strong postseason performance of his own. Sale struck out nine over 6⅓ innings and allowed three runs on four hits.
Phillies Take the Lead
Philadelphia struck first in the opening inning.
Alec Bohm doubled home Kyle Schwarber, giving the Phillies an early 1-0 advantage.
Atlanta answered in the second when Mike Yastrzemski delivered an RBI single, tying the game at 1-1.
The Braves then moved ahead in the sixth. Ozzie Albies drove in Michael Harris II with a triple, putting Atlanta ahead 2-1.
But Philadelphia wasn’t finished.
Realmuto Gives Philadelphia the Lead
The Phillies seized control in the seventh.
After Bryan De La Cruz was hit by a pitch and Bryson Stott singled, J.T. Realmuto ripped a two-run triple into the right-field corner.
Suddenly, Philadelphia had a 3-2 lead and the Braves were staring at a postseason comeback they desperately needed to find.
Realmuto’s hit appeared to put the Phillies in position to steal the opener on the road.
Riley Delivers the Knockout Punch
Philadelphia turned to Duran in the seventh with the hope that its All-Star closer could protect the lead.
Duran had been outstanding during the regular season, converting 33 of 35 save opportunities and allowing only two home runs in 61 appearances.
But postseason baseball can change in one swing.
Michael Harris II singled with two outs in the eighth. Duran then hit Albies with a pitch.
That brought Riley to the plate.
On the first pitch he saw, Riley crushed a three-run homer to right-center.
Braves 5, Phillies 3.
The Atlanta dugout erupted as Riley rounded the bases, and the momentum instantly swung back to the home team.
Braves Close It Out
Dylan Lee worked a scoreless eighth to earn the victory.
In the ninth, Raisel Iglesias allowed a leadoff single but quickly ended the threat by getting Bryan De La Cruz to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. Iglesias then retired Bryson Stott on a fly ball to secure the save.
Atlanta’s Michael Harris II finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored, providing a major spark at the top of the Braves’ lineup.
A Familiar Problem for Philadelphia
The loss puts the spotlight back on Philadelphia’s bullpen.
The Phillies had struggled badly in relief during September, and their inability to protect a late lead surfaced again at the worst possible time. Their bullpen entered the postseason with a 5.79 ERA for September, the worst mark in the majors.
Philadelphia now faces a difficult situation in a best-of-three series: Atlanta needs only one more victory to advance.
Final Takeaway
This was a game the Phillies had within their grasp.
Luzardo gave them a strong start. Realmuto produced the biggest offensive hit of the night for Philadelphia. And Duran was brought in because he was the pitcher the Phillies trusted most.
Then Riley changed the entire game with one swing.
The Braves now have the momentum and a chance to eliminate Philadelphia in Game 2. The Phillies, meanwhile, have to find a way to immediately erase the disappointment of watching a two-run eighth-inning lead disappear.
Game 1 Final: Braves 5, Phillies 3
Player of the Game: Austin Riley
Phillies Standout: J.T. Realmuto
Braves Standout: Michael Harris II
Turning Point: Riley’s three-run eighth-inning homer
Series Situation: Atlanta leads 1-0 in the best-of-three NL Wild Card Series.
