Austin Riley may have saved the Atlanta Braves postseason...with only one hand.
With Atlanta down 1-0 in their Division Series with the Philadelphia Phillies and down 4-3 in Game 2, Riley launched reliever Jeff Hoffman's 3-2 pitch deep into the left field seats.
BAH GAWD THAT’S AUSTIN RILEY’S MUSIC#AsOneATL pic.twitter.com/ZHX9oqIrGf
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 10, 2023
Riley's drive gave Atlanta a 5-4 lead, their first lead of the entire series. He hit it 376 feet and barely had a second hand on the bat.
Austin Riley hit that ball with damn near one hand off the bat. pic.twitter.com/RCbRK9cP1w
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) October 10, 2023
The Atlanta third baseman also came through with his glove in the top of the ninth, when Nick Castellanos hit his own deep drive that center fielder Michael Harris II caught against the wall. Harris' throw got away from the cutoff men, but Riley sprinted across the diamond to snag the errant throw, and his snap throw doubled up Bryce Harper off first to end the game.
THAT JUST HAPPENED.#AsOneATL pic.twitter.com/Ro4UHPvCOs
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 10, 2023
In a game where Atlanta didn't get their first hit until two outs in the sixth inning, the Braves rallied to tie the series. Now the series moves to Philadelphia, tied 1-1. The Braves are climbing back into the playoff picture, one hand at a time.
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