Austin Riley’s three-run homer off Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning propelled the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 victory Tuesday in the opener of the best-of-three National League Wild Card Series in Atlanta.
Duran, who had allowed just two home runs during 61 regular-season appearances, conceded a leadoff single to Michael Harris II and then hit Ozzie Albies with a pitch, setting the stage for Riley’s go-ahead blast over the wall in right-center field. Harris finished the game with three hits.
The Braves now have the opportunity to clinch the series on Wednesday, potentially ending the Phillies’ past postseason dominance in the NL East rivalry. Philadelphia defeated Atlanta in both the 1993 National League Championship Series and the 2022 and 2023 NL Division Series.
Riley’s homer carried added significance after a difficult regular season in which he batted .219 with 19 home runs. “Especially knowing how my season was not the way I wanted it, that’s why the postseason is a clean slate,” Riley said, noting his intent to contribute positively to the team.
Braves ace Chris Sale matched up early against Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who pitched effectively despite a recent left shoulder inflammation that had limited his late-season availability. Luzardo threw five innings of one-run ball on 77 pitches, exceeding expectations for what was anticipated to be a shortened outing. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly expressed satisfaction with Luzardo’s performance, stating it put the team in a good position.
Atlanta seized momentum when the Phillies turned to their bullpen, which had struggled in September, registering a major league-worst 5.79 ERA during that span. Albies broke a 1-1 tie with a triple off reliever Alex McFarlane in the sixth inning, though Philadelphia center fielder Derek Hill nearly made a difficult catch at the wall.
Philadelphia regained the lead in the seventh thanks to a two-run triple by J.T. Realmuto. Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. misplayed the ball near the wall but was not charged with an error. At that point, Mattingly brought in Duran to close the game, hoping the 28-year-old closer could pitch multiple innings. Duran, however, had made only one multi-inning appearance during the regular season.
Sale surrendered three runs as he struggled in the seventh inning while attempting to deliver for Atlanta’s rotation, which has faced numerous injuries. He hit Bryan De La Cruz with a pitch and allowed singles before relinquishing Realmuto’s two-run triple. Despite giving up a run-scoring double in the first inning to Alec Bohm, Sale limited Philadelphia’s offense until the later innings.
Following the Braves’ rally, Raisel Iglesias secured the save in the ninth after Dylan Lee contributed a scoreless eighth inning. The series continues Wednesday, with Atlanta seeking to close out the Phillies and advance further in the postseason. The Phillies played without three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, who remains sidelined due to a sprained ankle sustained late in the season.