Braves Edge Phillies in NL Wild Card Series Opener

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

September 29, 2026

Braves 5, Phillies 3

An eighth inning three-run homer from Austin Riley helped the Atlanta Braves defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5–3 in Game One of the NL Wild Card series at Truist Park. Riley’s blast was a defining moment for the Braves, who faced a one-run deficit entering the bottom half of the eighth. Mike Yastrzemski scored the Braves’ first run on an RBI single in the second while Ozzie Albies hit an RBI triple in the sixth.

This come from behind win also marked the longest start in a playoff game for Chris Sale. The veteran lefty lasted 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts, four hits and three earned runs. The relief unit held up with left-hander Dylan Lee and right-hander Raisel Iglesias going a combined two innings without giving up a run.

Even After Five

Sale started the first by striking out Trea Turner, before issuing a free pass to Kyle Schwarber. He struck out Bryce Harper, while Alec Bohm lined an RBI double to center field which went right past Michael Harris II to score the Phillies’ first run.

Jesus Luzardo took the mound for the Phillies, striking out Matt Olson in the bottom half of the first. However the left-hander faced pressure in the second when he surrendered a double to Mauricio Dubon and walked Albies. Austin Riley grounded into a fielder’s choice which resulted in Dubon being tagged out at home. Still, Yastrzemski lined an RBI single to make it a 1–1 game.

Sale, who made it out of the third and fourth without allowing a hit, gave up a double to infielder Edmundo Sosa in the fifth. He struck out J.T. Realmuto swinging to end the frame. Luzardo, on the other hand, struck out two batters as his outing ended after five innings.

Braves Take Control

Alex McFarlane took over for Luzardo in the bottom of the sixth. He struck out Dubon swinging, but then gave up a single to Harris. Albies smashed an RBI triple to deep center, putting the Braves in front.

Sale’s outing came to an end midway through the seventh as he hit Bryan De La Cruz on a pitch and surrendered a single to Bryson Stott. Right-hander Didier Fuentes replaced Sale and gave up a two-run triple to Realmuto which gave the Phillies the lead.

Jhoan Duran surrendered a single to Harris in the eighth and a low pitch hit Albies with two runners out. As Duran attempted to retake control, Riley smashed a three-run home run to right center field, giving the Braves a two-run lead. In the ninth, Brandon Marsh hit a single off Iglesias. However, De La Cruz hit into a double play and a fly out from Stott sealed the victory for the Braves.

What Went Right For The Braves

With two outs and two runners on, Riley’s three-run shot sealed the win for the Braves. This also marked the sixth home run of his playoff career. Yastrzemski’s RBI single in the second tied the game. Albies put his team in the lead for the moment with an RBI triple in the sixth. Additionally, Harris went 3-for-4 to contribute to the Braves total of seven hits and five RBI.

Sale put together the longest career start of his playoff career, lasting 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts, four hits and three earned runs. Lee struck out Schwarber in the eighth and didn’t allow a run to score. Iglesias also did not allow a run to score as he sealed the win in the ninth.

What Went Wrong For The Braves

Not much other than Sale surrendering an RBI double to Bohm in the first. Fuentes also gave up a two-run triple to Realmuto in the seventh.

What Went Right For The Phillies

Bohm put the Phillies on the board first with an RBI double. Realmuto gave them the lead again with a two-run triple in the seventh. This came as Luzardo lasted five innings with six strikeouts. He allowed three hits, a walk and an earned run.

What Went Wrong For The Phillies

McFarlane surrendered a single to Harris and the RBI triple to Albies in the sixth. After a quick seventh inning, Duran gave up a hit to Harris as one of his pitches hit Albies. He surrendered the three-run homer to Riley which put the Braves ahead.

Looking Ahead

In game two of the NL Wild Card series between the NL East division rivals, right-hander Tyler Mahle (7–10, 3.99 ERA) will take the mound for the Braves against left-hander Christopher Sanchez (18–7, 2.91 ERA) of the Phillies. First pitch from Truist Park on Wednesday is at 2 pm ET.