Austin Riley emerges as Braves unlikely wild card hero as Chris Sale, Jesús Luzardo duel in MLB playoff opener
By all accounts, including likely his own, Austin Riley’s offensive production in 2026 was disappointing. The Atlanta Braves third baseman appeared in nearly every regular-season game but finished with 19 home runs and a .219 batting average.
His 2026 campaign followed another frustrating season in 2025, when he also dealt with injury setbacks. But Tuesday offered Riley a chance to turn the page. He delivered a go-ahead three-run homer to help the Braves secure a critical Game 1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Wild Card Series.
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Riley hit the critical home run in the eighth inning off Philadelphia’s star closer Jhoan Duran to put Atlanta ahead 5-3. Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.
Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Duran had allowed only two home runs in 61 regular-season appearances before Michael Harris II opened the eight with a single. After Duran hit Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies with a pitch, Riley sent a go-ahead drive over the right-center-field wall. Harris finished with three hits.
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Braves ace Chris Sale dueled for much of the game against left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who was sharp after missing the last couple weeks of the regular season with left shoulder inflammation.
Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning of Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on Sept. 29, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto’s two-run triple off Sale in the seventh inning gave the visiting Philadelphia a 3-2 lead.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley hits a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia, on Sept. 29, 2026. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
The Braves can clinch the series Wednesday and end Philadelphia’s postseason dominance in the NL East rivalry. The Phillies eliminated Atlanta in the 1993 NLCS and the 2022 and 2023 NLDS. Philadelphia stumbled down the stretch of the regular season but still secured its fifth consecutive postseason berth.
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The Braves-Phillies series opened the 2026 postseason, with three additional Wild Card Series scheduled to follow Atlanta’s early-afternoon start. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres will close out Wednesday’s action, with first pitch scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
