Braves Secure Series Win Over Orioles Behind Austin Riley’s 11th-Inning Double
Austin Riley hit an 11th-inning RBI double to lift the Atlanta Braves to a gutsy 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, securing a hard-fought series win.
“After a rough June, grinding through that and coming out the other end and still being in first place, it’s going to serve us well in the long run,” Weiss said, according to team reports. “You make deposits into the bank of mental toughness when you do things like that.”
Defensive Execution in Extra Innings
The victory required critical defensive stops in the late frames, highlighted by Matt Olson turning a game-saving double play in the 10th inning. With the bases loaded and the automatic runner at third, Orioles hitter Gunnar Henderson drilled a 1-2 offering from reliever Danny Young directly at Olson. Olson alertly stepped on first base before Alonso could recover, a call confirmed via video review after a Baltimore challenge.
“It kind of took me toward the base. I just tried to get my foot on it as quick as possible,” Olson said regarding the play.
Reliever Tyler Kinley then entered to induce a pop-out from Taylor Ward. In the 11th, Riley broke the deadlock by driving a pitch from Orioles pitcher Andrew Kittredge into the right-center gap, allowing automatic runner Jorge Mateo to score the decisive run.
Navigating the NL East Race Without Acuña
Dominic Smith contributed three hits and two RBIs earlier in the contest to help Atlanta improve to 7-3 since the All-Star break and 13-9 in July. The Braves managed to stabilize their position atop the NL East, pushing their division lead back to six games after it had dipped to 2 1/2 games following a difficult 5-12 finish to June.
That slump coincided with Ronald Acuña Jr. landing on the injured list due to a left hamstring strain. However, according to manager Walt Weiss, the 2023 NL MVP is tracking toward a potential return during the upcoming series against the New York Mets starting Monday night.
“We’ve got a chance to see Ronnie in New York,” Weiss said. “That’s what we’re hoping for.”
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