2026 MLB Wild Card Results, Live Updates: Yankees Lead Red Sox 1-0, Cubs/Padres Prediction, Preview
Braves win Game 1 against Phillies behind Austin Riley’s latest exploits
Austin Riley hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning, leading the Braves to a 5-3 victory over the Phillies in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on Tuesday.
It was a back-and-forth affair in which the Phillies took the lead in the first inning. The Braves tied the game in the second inning and took the lead in the sixth before JT Realmuto delivered a two-run triple for Philadelphia in the seventh.
Chris Sale had the longest postseason start of his career, pitching 6 1/3 innings while being charged with three runs. Although he has not started since September 7 due to shoulder inflammation, Jesus Luzardo managed to go five innings with just one run.
Between that, Realmuto’s two-point triple and the ball in the hands of his closer Johan Duran, Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly had everything set up the way they wanted to steal Game 1. However, Riley erased his regular season struggles with his nod.
The brave come closer Raisel Iglesias dropped a first single for Brandon Marais in the top of the ninth inning, but he was quickly erased on a double ground play before Bryson Stott flew out to put an end to it.
In this new Wild Card format, 15 of the 16 teams that won the first game advanced. This was a game the Braves had to win with their ace on the mound. And even though things didn’t go exactly as planned, they managed to get the job done.
This series is, however, still far from over, because Christopher Sanchez will receive the ball in Game 2 for Philadelphia on Wednesday. Tyler Mahle should leave for Atlanta.
Gn sports
