Austin Riley's wild-card homer eases pressure on Braves

Austin Riley's wild-card homer eases pressure on Braves

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Background

Austin Riley, who became the first Braves player to strike out 200 times this season, showed his power in this game. His homer is not only an individual achievement, but also a turning point for the team, which can improve their condition and confidence.

Why it matters

This homer by Austin Riley not only led to an important win for the Braves, but it also reduces their mental pressure. Despite his ups and downs in performances this season, this innings made him an unlikely hero. For the Braves, this win is an important step toward advancing to the Wild Card Series, which also keeps their season outlook positive.

Key Points

• Austin Riley's wild-card homer eases pressure on Braves.
• Austin Riley's three-run homer gives the Braves a 5–3 victory in the Wild Card Series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies, relieving pressure on the team and Riley.
• After grinding all year, Austin Riley's wild-card homer takes pressure off Braves - The Athletic.

ATLANTA — Last week, Austin Riley became the first Atlanta Braves player in history to strike out 200 times in a season. But Tuesday evening, the third baseman's powerful swing took a significant turn. In the eighth inning, Riley blasted a 99.9 mph fastball from Philadelphia Phillies reliever Johan Duran high to right-center. The pitch went into the stadium and hit the screen, leading the Braves to a 5–3 victory. With another win they would reach the National League Division Series, and in their favor is the fact that teams that have won the wild card opener have also won the series 21 out of 24 times. As Riley's homer flew, he had only one thought: "Lord, whatever will happen, will happen. It's in your hands."

“I worked very hard,” Riley said in the post-game broadcast. “This year has been very difficult.” A few years ago, a postseason moment like Tuesday wouldn't have been unexpected for Riley. But his difficulties this season have made him an unlikely hero. Among the six Braves players who had at least 600 plate appearances, his .219 batting average and .654 OPS ranked lowest. He suffered the embarrassment of becoming only the third player to strike out at least 200 times this season, while also not hitting 20 homers.

Despite receiving a 10-year, $200 million contract, Riley has searched for big hits all year, and on Tuesday he was batting seventh. The burden of not being able to perform was heavy on him. Throughout the season, he faced difficulty sleeping after bad games. He spent hours with hitting coach Tim Hiers, improving his swing. And even when he achieved success, it was not a matter of happiness for him, because he knew that his production capacity was temporary compared to previous years.

However, going to the playoffs four times has taught Riley that every batsman gets a fresh start in the postseason. “It means a lot,” Riley said. "I've worked hard this year for these guys and this city, and it was very important for them to have a big performance. It's not over, just a start, but definitely a good start." Riley's homer also salvaged a strong start from Braves ace Chris Sale, who was out in the seventh inning with one out and the only two Atlanta runs scored.

In Sale's 27 regular season appearances, the team has scored two runs or less on 12 occasions. The Braves should not continue this trend in the playoffs. But Sale, who was receiving postgame treatment in the clubhouse when Riley went deep, remains confident in his team. “It feels like the first game of this postseason was really the essence of the whole story of our season,” Sale said. “Hard work, mentally and physically exhausting, everyone put everything into it and never gave up, never felt like we were out.” The Braves now have a chance to wrap up the three-game series on Wednesday. If they don't get through Game 2, they may have to rely on multiple innings from Grant Holmes for Game 3, leaving them without three key starters for a potential NLDS opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Riley temporarily mitigated the threat of tiring out his pitching staff. Perhaps most importantly, he also took some pressure off his shoulders.

“You can't tell this year whether he's an MVP candidate in the National League, or whether he's struggling,” manager Walt Weiss said. "He's the same person every day. Things like this don't happen if you — if you ride this roller coaster of emotions as a player, it probably doesn't happen.

What will happen next

The Braves now look for another win to reach the National League Division Series. If they win the next match, it will help them advance in the series, as teams that have won the wild card opener have also won the series 21 times out of 24. Thus, the outcome of the next game for the Braves could decide the direction of their season.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many runs did Austin Riley score?

Austin Riley hit a homer, helping lead the Braves to a 5-3 victory.

What was the score of this match?

The score of this match was 5-3, in which the Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies.

What impact will this win have on the National League Division Series?

With the win, the Braves are closer to reaching the National League Division Series, as teams that have won the wild card opener have also won the series 21 out of 24 times.

When is the next match?

The date of the next match is not mentioned in the article.

How was Austin Riley's performance this season?

Austin Riley had a .219 batting average this season and struck out 200 times.

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