Braves Rally Past Mets in 10-Inning Thriller
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves staged a dramatic comeback on Tuesday night, capping it with a walk-off sacrifice fly from Austin Riley in the 10th inning to secure a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets. Riley’s deep fly ball to center field allowed Luke Williams to score easily from third, completing a late-game turnaround that thrilled the home crowd.
This win marked a rebound for Atlanta after a lopsided 10-1 loss on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies. With this victory, the Braves have now won four of their last five games and appear to be regaining momentum. Meanwhile, the Mets, who currently lead the National League East, are on a downward trend. Tuesday’s defeat was their fourth straight loss — the first time this season they’ve dropped that many in a row.
The Extra-Inning Drama
The decisive 10th inning began with Luke Williams automatically placed on second base under MLB’s extra-inning rule. A wild pitch by Mets reliever Huascar Brazobán gave Williams an opportunity to move to third. Catcher Francisco Alvarez worsened the situation with a misjudged throw to second base while Williams was caught in a rundown, ultimately allowing him to advance. Brazobán then issued a walk to Matt Olson, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Riley followed with a deep fly ball, giving Williams plenty of time to tag up and score the game-winning run.
Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta’s closer, secured the win with a clean, three-up-three-down performance in the top of the 10th. The right-hander improved his record to 4-5 on the season.
Mets Take Early Lead
Before Atlanta’s late surge, the Mets appeared to be in control. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor played a significant role for New York, hitting a home run and collecting three RBIs. Juan Soto added to the offense with a solo homer as well, helping the Mets build a 4-1 lead through the middle innings.
The Braves struggled offensively early in the game, only managing a single run while New York’s pitching contained them. That changed in the eighth inning when Atlanta made its move.
The Eighth-Inning Comeback
The momentum began to shift in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Braves managed to load the bases with no outs, thanks to three consecutive singles — two off Mets starter David Peterson and one off reliever Reed Garrett. The situation looked promising for Atlanta, but Garrett struck out Olson and then induced a shallow pop fly from Riley, bringing the Mets within one out of escaping the jam.
However, Marcell Ozuna delivered in the clutch. Facing Garrett with two outs and the bases still loaded, Ozuna smashed a line-drive double into the outfield, clearing the bases and tying the game at 4-4. The crowd erupted as the Braves completed the comeback, setting the stage for the extra-inning heroics.
Ninth-Inning Tension
The top of the ninth also had its share of drama. Juan Soto led off with a single for the Mets and represented a potential go-ahead run. Pete Alonso followed by sending a deep fly to right field, but Ronald Acuña Jr. made an impressive catch at the wall. Soto, who had rounded second, was caught too far off base, and Acuña’s quick throw resulted in a double play that squashed the Mets’ rally attempt.
Weather Delay
Before the game even began, both teams had to wait out a 56-minute rain delay. Despite the weather setback, the fans remained engaged, especially during the late-inning fireworks that made up for the soggy start.
Notable Statistical Highlight
Tuesday’s game was also significant for a historical scheduling reason. According to data from the Elias Sports Bureau, this was Atlanta’s 71st game of the 2025 season — the latest they’ve faced a division opponent in 25 years. In 2000, the Braves didn’t face a National League East rival until their 76th game, when they played the Montreal Expos. The delay in facing divisional foes this season adds another unique twist to Atlanta’s campaign, especially as they now look to chip away at the Mets’ division lead.
Looking Ahead
The Braves and Mets will continue their series on Wednesday night. Atlanta will send veteran left-hander Chris Sale to the mound. Sale has been effective this year, posting a 4-4 record with a strong 2.79 ERA. He was originally scheduled to pitch against Colorado on Sunday, but the Braves decided to save him for the Mets series, emphasizing the importance of these divisional matchups.
The Mets will counter with right-hander Paul Blackburn, who is still seeking his first decision of the season. He enters the game with an ERA of 6.75 and will look to stabilize a rotation that has struggled during New York’s recent skid.
Final Thoughts
Atlanta’s victory showcased their resilience and highlighted the depth of their lineup. With clutch hitting from Ozuna and Riley, and timely pitching from the bullpen, the Braves were able to overcome a late deficit and win a game that could have implications for the division race. For the Mets, it was another frustrating loss in what’s becoming a rough stretch. Their once-comfortable lead in the NL East is starting to look more vulnerable.
Though it’s still midseason, these games carry extra weight in tight divisional races. Tuesday’s thriller was not just a comeback win for the Braves — it was a statement that they’re not ready to relinquish control of the NL East without a fight.
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