Braves third baseman Austin Riley made a highlight play for the final out of a victory that put Atlanta in first place in the NL East.
The Atlanta Braves are in first place in the NL East for the first time this season and they have Austin Riley to thank for it.
The third baseman made an impressive play to deny Carter Kieboom in the bottom of the ninth with the game hovering on a knife’s edge at 6-5.
The final out deserved to be celebrated.
Will Smith was in a jam in the final frame with men on first and second. A hit in that situation could have easily resulted in a tied game. Kieboom had already singled in the bottom of the fifth to pull the Nationals within a run.
Instead of a lead conceded, Riley made sure the game ended there and then.
Austin Riley’s web gem made sure the Braves secured first place
Riley was also a difference-maker at the plate. He hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, giving Atlanta a 5-3 lead. He was 3-of-5 with two runs and an RBI.
The victory improved the Braves to 62-56 on the season and gave them sole possession of first place in the NL East over the Phillies, who fell to the Reds on Sunday.
Atlanta is one of the hottest teams in baseball over the last 20 games with 14 in that stretch. They have won 10 of their last 12.
Just 15 days ago, the Braves were four games behind the Mets and sitting in third place in the division. It’s been an incredible turnaround thanks to contributions from the likes of Riley, Freddie Freeman and the surprisingly hot Dansby Swanson.
They enjoyed a series sweep against the Nationals. They’d be even happier if they can do the same to the Marlins as their road trip continues in Miami.