The Atlanta Braves might not be leading the standings, but they just delivered a win that felt a whole lot bigger than one game in the column.
After another punch-in-the-gut loss on Sunday, they turned around and rallied late to beat the New York Mets—and not just any rally.
Down 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, the Braves clawed back, tied it, and walked it off in extras, snapping a stretch of heartbreak in close games that had started to feel like a cruel routine.
Breaking the One-Run Curse
Let’s not sugarcoat it, the Braves have been brutal in one-run games this season. Entering the night, they were 10-19 in such contests—a stat that paints a picture of missed chances, late-inning collapses, and offensive stalls. But Tuesday night? They flipped the script.
Manager Brian Snitker felt the weight of the moment. “Hopefully, it’s something that kinda gets us off the mat,” he said postgame. And honestly, it should. After weeks of falling just short, this team finally finished. That matters, especially in the thick of June, when momentum can either fizzle or snowball.
Ozuna and Riley Get It Done
Marcell Ozuna was the engine of the comeback, launching a bases-clearing double to tie the game. It was classic Ozuna: aggressive, powerful, and clutch. He’s quietly been one of the Braves’ most consistent bats, and this swing might go down as one of the biggest of the month.
And then came Austin Riley, stepping to the plate in the 10th with Luke Williams standing on third. Riley didn’t plan to swing at the first pitch, but when Huascar Brazobán offered up a sinker in his wheelhouse, Riley didn’t hesitate. He sent it flying to center field—plenty deep to bring Williams home and seal a 5-4 walk-off win.
Riley broke it down like a vet: “He threw four changeups to [Matt Olson] in the dirt, so I kinda had a feeling he was gonna challenge me, especially with the sinker… Try to get a ground ball, left side, somewhere.” Instead, he got enough loft on it to deliver the dagger.
Grit Wins, and Braves Needed One
Ronald Acuña Jr. kept it simple: “Every win matters.” And he’s not wrong. The Mets lead the division. Beating them doesn’t just feel good—it’s a statement. Especially for a Braves team that’s been fighting to stay afloat after losing 14 of 17 games in a recent skid.
Now? They’ve won five of their last seven, taken a series from one playoff contender, and opened up another against a division rival with a W. The vibes are starting to shift.
And here’s the kicker—Chris Sale takes the mound Wednesday night. The ace. The fire. The guy Anthopoulos declared untouchable just a day ago. If the Braves can grab another win behind him? They’re not just surviving anymore. They’re getting back in the hunt.
Momentum doesn’t show up in the box score—but if it did, last night’s walk-off would be written in bold.
