Trailing 4-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Division Series and on the brink of falling behind 0-2, the Atlanta Braves showed why they were baseball’s best team during the season. The offense found its form and gave the Braves a 5-4 lead heading into the ninth inning. The lead was preserved thanks to an awesome effort on defense.
Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper drew a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth inning. Then, after J. T. Realmuto flew out, Nick Castellanos came to the plate. Castellanos hit the ball to deep right-center field. And while it was quickly apparent that the ball would not be a home run, it looked like it could be a game-tying double or triple. But Atlanta centerfielder Michael Harris II had other ideas. He tracked the ball down and made a jumping catch into the wall. And that was only part of the play.
Harper clearly thought that the ball would not be caught, as he was well off of first base. Harris quickly threw in, hoping to force a double play. His throw, though, sailed away from cut-off man Ozzie Albies and shortstop Orlando Arcia, who was backing Albies up, couldn’t corral the ball. Third baseman Austin Riley, though, was in perfect position. He scooped up the ball and fired it onto first baseman Matt Olson. completing the game-ending double play.
Michael Harris II and the Braves turn an INSANE game-ending double play to tie up the series! ⚾️🔥 pic.twitter.com/JxTVnhpwFL
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 10, 2023
Harris, naturally, was excited about the play.
Lets goooooo Sawry Not Sawry 💸👏🏾 https://t.co/zuIRmbQC7H
— Michael Harris II〽️ (@MoneyyyMikeee) October 10, 2023
He was not alone. Harris’ teammates and baseball fans alike marveled at the tremendous game-ending twin killing.
Michael Harris II was talking to the media for about 15 minutes. Ronald Acuña Jr. walked by and yelled, "He can catch everything!" The smile on Harris' face was as big as it gets. #Braves
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) October 10, 2023
#Braves’ Max Fried on Michael Harris II’s spectacular game-ending play: “I wouldn’t expect anything less from him, and that’s the ultimate compliment.”
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) October 10, 2023
If the @Braves go on to do big things this postseason, we'll be seeing this replay for years to come. https://t.co/JOqTxc8cMG
— Joe Mock (@baseballparks) October 10, 2023
Michael Harris II is unreal pic.twitter.com/wZV335i1ce
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) October 10, 2023
Incredible catch https://t.co/v5rcVcYMVz
— Daniel Ogden (@OGTrinny) October 10, 2023
I can’t stop watching this play.
Obviously an incredible catch by Michael Harris II. But what a play by Austin Riley to back up the throw and make a sick throw to first to double off Harper.
What a play. What a game. Instant classic.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) October 10, 2023
Michael Harris II's catch — ball flight tracking
45% catch probability — and that doesn't fully capture the difficulty of the leap into the wall
He needed to cover 92 feet in 5.4 seconds just to get there. His jump was +5.0 feet above average pic.twitter.com/NA609RyHm9
— David Adler (@_dadler) October 10, 2023
In addition to making the heads-up play, Riley was also one of Atlanta’s offensive heroes. The Braves trimmed the 4-0 deficit to 4-3 by the eighth inning. Riley put Atlanta on top with a two-run home run.
Austin Riley crushes a 2-run homer to give the Braves a 5-4 lead over the Phillies with 2 outs in the 8th! ⚾️💣
Atlanta trailed 4-0. #NLDS pic.twitter.com/tPSsYPPgd0
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 10, 2023
The Braves still need to win one in Philadelphia to guarantee a return to Atlanta. But things look a lot better for them now than did for most of Game 2.
