- Game 4 of the World Series between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros at Truist Park in Atlanta
- The Braves defeated the Astros, 3-2, to take a 3-games-to-1 lead in the series
The Atlanta Braves are one win away from the franchise's first world championship since 1995.
Houston had most of the momentum in the game's early innings, but failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, ultimately stranding 11 baserunners, and Astros hitters were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Braves closer Will Smith pitched a perfect 9th inning, forcing Yordan Alvarez to ground out to first baseman Freddie Freeman for the final out of the night. Atlanta reliever Tyler Matzek earned the victory for the Braves, while Houston's Cristian Javier -- who allowed both Swanson and Soler's dingers -- suffered the loss.
The Braves are now 7-0 at home this postseason. An eighth win at Truist Park on Sunday would deliver the franchise just its second title since moving to Atlanta.
Eddie Rosario's running catch in left field ended the top of the 8th inning, preserving Atlanta's slim 3-2 lead.
Batting with two down and the bases empty, Houston's second baseman Jose Altuve had designs on his second homer of the ballgame. But Rosario's play on the warning track turned Altuve away, ending the frame and keeping Atlanta in front by one.
It's 3-2 Braves in the bottom of the 8th.
Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson picked the right time to launch his first homer of the 2021 postseason.
His 7th inning solo blast off Astros reliever Cristian Javier landed in the right field seats before bouncing back onto the field, tying the game at 2-2 and delighting the hometown Atlanta crowd in the process.
And if the Braves faithful were delighted by that, they'd be ecstatic four pitches later when pinch hitter Jorge Soler followed with a solo shot of his own.
Soler's blast to left missed Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez's outstretched glove by mere inches, barely clearing the wall and giving Atlanta its first lead of the game.
It's now 3-2 Braves as we head to the 8th.
Batting with two down and two on in the bottom of the sixth, Riley's rip off Astros reliever Phil Maton plated left fielder Eddie Rosario and cut the Astros' lead in half, 2-1.
Rosario's double gave the Braves their first runner in scoring position all evening, and after a walk to Freddie Freeman and a strikeout by second baseman Ozzie Albies, Riley came through with the RBI.
But Maton limited the damage from there, striking out catcher Travis d'Arnaud with the bases loaded to end the threat.
Atlanta has left five runners on base, while the Astros have stranded 10.
It's now 2-1 Astros in the 7th.
If the Astros fail to hold on and win Game 4, it won't be difficult to dissect how things went wrong.
Houston has left 10 men on base through six innings and is 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, though they hold a 2-0 lead.
Wright's only real mistake came in the 4th on a solo home run from Astros' second baseman Jose Altuve.
RHP Chris Martin took over the pitching duties for the Braves and was pinch-hit for in the bottom half of the 6th.
Veteran right-hander Zack Greinke gave the Astros exactly what they wanted in Game 4, keeping the Braves' bats at bay for four scoreless frames.
RHP Ryan Stanek is now pitching for the Astros.
The 38-year-old Greinke, who was making his second start of the 2021 postseason, allowed only four hits -- a single in each inning -- while striking out three Braves. He did not walk anyone and benefited from a pair of inning-ending double plays.
Batting 8th -- instead of the 9th spot traditionally reserved for pitchers -- Greinke also added a hit to his line, becoming the first pitcher with a World Series base knock since Corey Kluber in 2016.
It's 2-0 Astros in the bottom of the 5th.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve widened the Astros' lead to 2-0 by going deep against Braves hurler Kyle Wright in the top of the 4th.
2-0 Astros midway through the 4th.
Braves third baseman Austin Riley turned in a defensive gem in the top of the 2nd.
With runners at first and second and only one out, Riley snared a hard-sinking liner off the bat of Jose Altuve, robbing the Astros' leadoff hitter of extra bases and a likely RBI.
Braves reliever Kyle Wright then induced an inning-ending groundout from left fielder Michael Brantley.
Through two frames, the Astros have already stranded four runners.
1-0 Astros through the first two innings.
Former President Trump participated in the "Tomahawk chop" during Game 4 of the World Series in Atlanta.
Trump has frequently sought to capitalize politically on such controversies as part of an effort to galvanize White voters who make up much of his political base.