The Aporia · Austin Riley's 3-run homer off Jhoan Duran rallies Braves past Phillies 5-3 in NLWCS opener

Austin Riley's 3-run homer off Jhoan Duran rallies Braves past Phillies 5-3 in NLWCS opener

Read the original at Toronto Star ↗

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Odum, C. (2026, September 29). Austin Riley's 3-run homer off Jhoan Duran rallies Braves past Phillies 5-3 in NLWCS opener. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/austin-riley-s-3-run-homer-off-jhoan-duran-rallies-braves-past-phillies-5-3-in-nlwcs-opener/article_370016e5-00c1-5c2c-869f-ce425885951c.html

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

Quick Summary

In the first game of the National League Wild Card Series, Austin Riley hit a three-run homer off closer Jhoan Duran to help the Braves win 5-3 over the Phillies in Atlanta on Tuesday. Riley's eighth-inning blast was pivotal after Duran, known for his stingy regular-season pitching, gave up back-to-back hits and a walk that set up the rally. The game saw a strong performance by both starting pitchers, Chris Sale of the Braves and Jesus Luzardo of the Phillies, who returned from injury but still faced tough competition.

Written by AI on 2026-09-29, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

In the NL Wild Card Series opener on Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3. The decisive moment came when Austin Riley hit a three-run homer off Philadelphia's All-Star closer Jhoan Duran, turning the game around in the eighth inning. Despite starting pitcher Chris Sale dueling with Phillies' rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who had recently returned from shoulder inflammation, the Braves managed to come out on top. This victory put them one step closer to ending their franchise history of not advancing past a playoff series against Philadelphia. The series concluded with the Braves winning Game 3, eliminating the Phillies for the fifth consecutive year in October. Bryce Harper, reflecting on the loss, admitted that "you’re here to win games, and we didn’t do that," signaling the need for changes in the team's approach or roster ahead of the next season.

Written for “Phillies Braves Wild Card Game” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 7 other(s) covering the same event.

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This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

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“Article A describes the game's outcome and Austin Riley's homer in Game 1, while Article B discusses betting odds for Game 2.”

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Hedges 4 of 34 claims Outlet record 64/100

“Article A discusses preparations and expectations before the game on Tuesday, while Article B reports the actual outcome of that game.”

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64/100

Toronto Star's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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Charles Odum

28 article(s) here · 0 carrying a prediction

🔮 Even after the Valkyries showed fight by attempting a second-half comeback, Nakase was still struggling to comprehend the lackadaisical start so she could make sure it’s not repeated in Saturday night’s decisive game.

2026-10-30 · assertive framing · Nakase and Valkyries are determined to avoid another slow start in WNBA Finals Game 7 against Dream

🔮 There were concerns the early tipoff would have the teams playing the potentially decisive Finals game in a half-empty arena because of fans having work and school obligations.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · Despite much-criticized early tipoff, Dream say WNBA Finals Game 6 against Valkyries is a sellout

🔮 While Reese blamed herself, Gabby Williams gave credit to Golden State’s defense.

2026-10-24 · assertive framing · Angel Reese blames herself after a dramatic falloff in Dream's Game 4 loss in the WNBA Finals

🔮 The Falcons’ defense couldn’t slow quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense.

2026-10-20 · assertive framing · After slow start in loss to Bears, Penix and Falcons have urgency to turn their season around

🔮 ATLANTA (AP) — Caleb Williams completed his first 12 passes in his return from a hamstring injury, D’Andre Swift ran for two touchdowns and the Chicago Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons 31-23 on Sunday.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Caleb Williams completes first 12 passes in return after missing 3 games as Bears top Falcons 31-23

🔮 Georgia (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) saw its streaks of nine straight wins over Auburn and 53 consecutive wins over unranked teams come to an end in a loss that also will end the Bulldogs’ short one-week stay atop the AP Top 25.

2026-10-17 · assertive framing · Alex McPherson kicks 34-yard field goal as time expires to lift Auburn over No. 1 Georgia 27-24

🔮 ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — One week after showing off its impressive depth in a tight win at Alabama, No. 1 Georgia is expected to have starting running back Nate Frazier return for Saturday’s visit from Auburn.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · No. 1 Georgia is expected to have Nate Frazier return at running back for SEC test against Auburn

🔮 Penix was expected to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday.

2026-10-14 · assertive framing · Penix expected to start at quarterback for Falcons against Bears after suffering rib injury in loss

🔮 When asked if Penix will be able to start on Sunday for the Falcons (2-3) against Chicago, Stefanski said he would have a better idea later in the week.

2026-10-12 · assertive framing · Falcons are facing more quarterback uncertainty after Penix injures rib in overtime loss

🔮 Penix overcame a slow start to pass for 240 yards and a touchdown but could only watch from the bench with a towel on his head as the Ravens put the game away.

2026-10-12 · assertive framing · Huntley leads late TD drive to force OT and then scores on 1-yard run as Ravens beat Falcons 30-23

Also by Charles Odum

Nakase and Valkyries are determined to avoid another slow start in WNBA Finals Game 7 against Dream

2026-10-30 · Toronto Star

Despite much-criticized early tipoff, Dream say WNBA Finals Game 6 against Valkyries is a sellout

2026-10-28 · Toronto Star

Michael Penix Jr. throws 3 TD passes, Falcons force 4 turnovers to give 49ers first loss, 29-20

2026-10-25 · Toronto Star

Angel Reese blames herself after a dramatic falloff in Dream's Game 4 loss in the WNBA Finals

2026-10-24 · Toronto Star

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 28 articles by Charles Odum →

Claims (7 extracted, 0 hedged)

Austin Riley hit a three-run homer off All-Star closer Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 on Tuesday in the opener of a best-of-three National League Wild Card Series. asserted

Braves → hit → Series

Duran (0-1), who allowed just two homers in 61 regular-season games, gave up a single to Michael Harris II before hitting Ozzie Albies with a pitch. asserted

who → allow → pitch

Riley drove the go-ahead blast over the wall in right-center field. asserted

Riley → drive → field

Harris had three hits. asserted

Harris → have → hits

Braves ace Chris Sale dueled for much of the game against left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who was sharp after missing the last couple weeks of the regular season with left shoulder inflammation. asserted

who → duel → inflammation

The Braves can clinch the series on Wednesday and end the Phillies’ history of postseason success in the NL East rivalry. asserted

Braves → clinch → rivalry

Philadelphia beat Atlanta in the 1993 NLCS and the 2022 and 2023 NLDS. asserted

Philadelphia → beat → NLCS

Austin Riley's 3-run homer off Jhoan Duran rallies Braves past Phillies 5-3 in NLWCS opener

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Claims (7 extracted, 0 hedged)