Riley’s Eighth-Inning Homer Gives Braves 5–3 Wild Card Win Over Phillies

Austin Riley hit a three-run home run with two outs in the eighth inning on September 29, 2026, lifting the Atlanta Braves past the Philadelphia Phillies 5–3 in the opening game of their National League Wild Card Series. The result at Truist Park in the Atlanta area gives the Braves a 1–0 lead in the best-of-three matchup.

How the lead changed

Philadelphia went ahead early on Alec Bohm’s RBI double, and Atlanta answered on Mike Yastrzemski’s run-scoring single. Ozzie Albies tripled home Michael Harris II in the sixth to put the Braves up 2–1. The Phillies regained a 3–2 lead in the seventh when J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run triple.

Riley’s decisive swing came after Harris singled and Albies was hit by a pitch. Facing closer Jhoan Duran, Riley drove the first pitch he saw to right-center field for a three-run homer. Reuters and Field Level Media reported that Dylan Lee earned the win after a scoreless eighth and Raisel Iglesias finished the ninth for the save.

What the result means

Atlanta can end the series with another win in Game 2 on September 30; Philadelphia must win to force a deciding third game. The win is a game result, not a series clinch. Chris Sale struck out nine in 6⅓ innings for Atlanta but was in line for a loss before the comeback. Philadelphia starter Jesús Luzardo allowed one run over five innings, according to the game report.

The game provides the first on-field answer after Atlanta set its playoff lineup. Our earlier report covered the Braves’ Wild Card roster choices; this article covers the completed opener. MLB’s postseason schedule confirms the series format and the September 30 Game 2 date.

Sources and image credit

Reuters / Field Level Media game report (September 29, 2026) and MLB postseason schedule (September 27, 2026). Featured image: illustrative photograph of a former Atlanta baseball stadium by Joshua Peacock / Unsplash; it is not from this game or Truist Park.