The Atlanta Braves haven't had many leads in the National League Division Series versus the Philadelphia Phillies. When they do, Nick Castellanos erases them.
NICK CASTELLANOS TIES IT pic.twitter.com/9ffzj4grxz
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 13, 2023
Three batters after Austin Riley gave the Braves only their third lead of the NLDS, the Phillies right fielder evened the score at 1-1 with his own blast. It's the second game in a row Castellanos has answered an early Braves lead with a dinger.
In Game 3, Atlanta got on the board first when Ozzie Albies drove home Ronald Acuna Jr. with a single. Three more Braves batted in the third before Castellanos led off the bottom of the third with a game-tying home run. Atlanta never led again.
RING THE BELL
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 11, 2023
Nick Castellanos goes yard and we’re all tied at 1 in Game 3
: @Phillies
pic.twitter.com/NJXhNXvWnj
Atlanta has only been ahead for a total of three innings in the entire series. Two of those were thanks to Riley, who hit homers in two of the games. Thursday, he blasted a home run off Ranger Suarez that bounced off a rail and into the seats to gives the Braves a 1-0 lead.
Austin Riley solo shot for the lead! pic.twitter.com/WlNCJNuqED
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 13, 2023
He also gave the Braves a lead in the eighth inning of Game 2 with a two-run blast.
BAH GAWD THAT’S AUSTIN RILEY’S MUSIC#AsOneATL pic.twitter.com/ZHX9oqIrGf
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 10, 2023
Incredibly, Castellanos almost wiped out that lead as well. With Bryce Harper on first, only a spectacular play by center fielder Michael Harris II kept Castellanos' blast from being a game-tying double and turned it into a game-ending double play.
WHAT AN ENDING! #POSTSEASON pic.twitter.com/sELzLlUkQu
— MLB (@MLB) October 10, 2023
Riley is keeping the Braves hopes afloat. Unfortunately, Castellanos is always there to try and sink them.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!