Atlanta, Georgia — Chris Sale firmly showcased his prowess on the mound once again, delivering seven shutout innings for the Braves, yet found himself leaving the game without a lead. Just when it seemed the Braves might falter, timely hits from Michael Harris II and Marcell Ozuna turned the tide, allowing Atlanta to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory in extra innings.
The first few innings of the game unfolded without significant drama. Sale and Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott engaged in a duel of wills, as both teams failed to capitalize on early opportunities. In the first inning, the Reds almost struck first when T.J. Friedl and Matt McLain executed a double steal, placing themselves in scoring position with one out. However, Sale demonstrated his composure, recording a strikeout followed by a groundout to escape unscathed.
Atlanta had its own chances in the second inning, putting two runners in scoring position with Sean Murphy and Eli White. Yet once again, Sale’s teammate Harris II could not convert, striking out to end the threat. Observers at the game could feel the tension, but as the third inning rolled around, fans resorted to the wave in what might be an early sign of boredom given the lack of action on the scoreboard.
Sale continued to dominate, amassing six innings with nine strikeouts, four hits, and only one walk. Abbott matched him pitch for pitch, boasting eight strikeouts and allowing just four hits over five innings. As the game reached the sixth, the hope of a turning point for Atlanta arose when Graham Ashcraft stepped in for the Reds. However, he quickly silenced any potential rally from the Braves, retiring the heart of the order efficiently and keeping the game scoreless.
In the seventh, Sale returned to the mound, facing a challenge when Austin Wynns launched a deep double. Just as he seemed poised to finish strong, Sale issued a walk, prompting his exit and leaving the game in the capable hands of Pierce Johnson, who struck out Matt McLain to preserve Sale’s scoreless night.
Despite their pitchers’ strong performances, the Braves struggled offensively. A rally was brewing in the seventh after a leadoff walk by Ozzie Albies and a single from Sean Murphy fueled hope for a breakthrough. Nevertheless, the opportunity evaporated as Eli White grounded into a force out, and crucially, Atlanta failed to bring any runs home when Alex Verdugo grounded out to first.
The Reds capitalized on Atlanta’s missed chances in the eighth inning. Elly De La Cruz ignited the inning with an infield single and stole second, setting the stage for Santiago Espinal. Espinal delivered a timely hit, bringing De La Cruz home to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead and putting pressure back on the Braves. The momentum seemed to favor the visitors, especially after Atlanta’s attempts to respond with a leadoff single by Austin Riley failed to materialize into runs.
As the game approached the ninth inning, the Reds’ Emilio Pagán entered to close things out. A walk to Sean Murphy would prove pivotal; Michael Harris II followed with a well-placed double into right field, allowing runner Stuart Fairchild to scamper home and tie the game at one.
Extra innings loomed, and the Braves prepared for a dramatic finish. After Drake Baldwin’s pinch-hit moved Harris to third, Raisel Iglesias took over for Atlanta. He quickly shut down the Reds, setting the stage for an electrifying final inning. The Reds opted to intentionally walk Austin Riley, but it backfired as Marcell Ozuna belted a powerful shot to left field, sealing the game for Atlanta with a walk-off hit.
This thrilling win showcased the resilience of the Braves, who have proven they can rally late in games. Sale appears to have regained his form, while Iglesias’s performance in the clutch reinforced the team’s competitive edge. As they split this four-game series, Atlanta’s focus shifts to potentially claiming victory as the series concludes, already celebrating this hard-fought extra-inning triumph.