Atlanta, GA – In a dramatic Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, the Atlanta Braves secured a 5‑3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies thanks to a clutch three‑run homer from third baseman Austin Riley. The win puts the Braves in a strong position to clinch the series on Wednesday.
Riley’s decisive blast
Riley, who struggled offensively during the regular season with a .219 batting average and 19 home runs, rose to the occasion in the eighth inning. After Phillies closer Jhoan Duran allowed a single to Michael Harris II, he hit Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies with a pitch. Riley seized the moment, sending a drive over the right‑center‑field wall to give Atlanta a 5‑3 lead.
Key moments from both sides
Philadelphia’s star closer Jhoan Duran entered the game having allowed only two home runs in 61 regular‑season appearances, but the Braves’ persistence paid off. Earlier, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hit a two‑run triple off Braves ace Chris Sale in the seventh inning, briefly giving Philadelphia a 3‑2 advantage.
Braves ace Chris Sale matched left‑hander Jesús Luzardo for much of the game, limiting the Phillies’ offense. Luzardo, returning from a brief stint on the injured list due to left‑shoulder inflammation, was sharp on the mound, keeping the game close until Riley’s late heroics.
Series outlook
The Braves now look to close out the series on Wednesday, aiming to end Philadelphia’s recent postseason dominance in the NL East rivalry. The Phillies have eliminated Atlanta in the 1993 NLCS and the 2022 and 2023 NLDS, making this victory especially significant for Braves fans.
Both teams will be back on the field for Game 2, with the winner advancing to the next round of the 2026 postseason. The series opener was the first of three Wild Card Series scheduled for the weekend, with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres set to begin their own matchups later Wednesday.
Associated Press contribution
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
