Mississippi native Austin Riley hit a 3-run bomb to deliver a 5-3 win for the Atlanta Braves in a wild card game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The former DeSoto Central standout’s big moment came in the bottom of the eighth inning, with Atlanta trailing 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon. Riley, with teammates on first and second base, drove a four-seam fastball thrown by Phillies reliever Jhoan Duran deep into right-center for a statement go-ahead home run.
Atlanta held Philadelphia scoreless in the top of the ninth, moving one game closer to the National League Division Series. If the Braves win one more game against the Phillies, they will continue their playoff run against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
LET IT FLY, AUSTIN!#LetItFly pic.twitter.com/fMljqixlHk
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 29, 2026
“Before I stepped in the box, I said, ‘God, whatever happens, happens. It’s in Your hands.’ I’ve tried so hard. It’s been a hard season this year,” Riley told NBC Sports after the game. “I just go out there and trust my ability. [Duran] let something go over the plate. I was able to make a good swing at it.”
Riley has struggled at the plate this season, with a batting average of .219 and a whopping 201 strikeouts. But that did not matter when it came time to deliver for Atlanta, the only team he’s suited up for in his eight-season pro career, in one of the most crucial at-bats of the season.
Atlanta will return to action on Wednesday for game two of the best-of-three wild card series versus Philadelphia. First pitch from Truist Park is set for 1 p.m. CT, with the game airing nationally on NBC.