ATLANTA — It was a roller coaster ride of epic proportions inside Truist Park on Monday night, with the Atlanta Braves going from being no-hit through 5.2 innings to evening their NLDS matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies in highlight-reel, earth-shaking fashion.
Michael Harris II made an astounding catch against the wall, then had the wherewithal to fire the ball back toward the infield, with a chain reaction play catching Bryce Harper off first base for a double play, putting the finishing touches on a 5-4 Braves win that will be talked about up and down the East Coast for years to come.
Atlanta Braves: Michael Harris II talks about the game-ending catch
With Braves outfield legend (and Hall of Fame candidate) Andruw Jones in attendance, Harris said after the game he wanted to make a play similar to what he grew up watching Jones do in the Braves outfield.
"It's just one of those things you dream of, being a Braves fan and trying to be big in those moments," Harris said inside the Braves clubhouse. "Being able to watch some of the center fielders who have played for this team, like Andruw, he was in the stands tonight, so something like that brought back one of those plays like he made in his career. He's made a lot of big-time plays, so I guess just trying to follow in his footsteps. I'm going to try to be great like him."
For one night and one play at least, the former National League Rookie of the Year looked every bit like the Gold Glover that Jones was routinely during his time with the franchise. And the resemblance could not have come at a better time for the Braves.
Atlanta Braves: Max Fried gives credit to team for picking him up
We wrote during the game about how Fried simply didn't have the stuff he needed to keep Philadelphia's offense at bay during his 4.0-inning outing on Monday. After the game, Fried admitted he was "rusty" and not at his best for the start.
"A lot better now with the win," Fried told reporters after the game when asked how he was feeling. "These guys played a heck of a game. They never gave up. All the credit for everything goes to them. The bullpen, defense, hitting, to make that kind of comeback and be able to have that kind of game, it was a lot of fun to watch.
"I was awfully rusty. I had no command. Only pitch I really had was my curveball, and Travis (d'Arnaud) did a great job back there trying to just get me through it without a lot of command or stuff."
If Atlanta takes the series to Game 5 back here at Truist Park, it could be an interesting decision for manager Brian Snitker. Will he choose to go to Fried and hope that rustiness was a one-time issue, or could he look to another option to start a potential win-or-go-home game?
Atlanta Braves: Kirby Yates talks about atmosophere in Philadelphia
If there was one thing the Braves didn't want, it was to go back to Philadelphia trailing the Phillies by two games and facing an elimination game inside the Red October atmosphere of Citizens Bank Park. Kirby Yates, who made his postseason debut on Monday by allowing one hit and an unearned run while striking out two in an inning of work, saw the home-field advantage the Atlanta fans brought during the first two games of the series and also remembers what he saw from Philly fans when the two teams met there last postseason.
"I don't think anybody's really seen that crowd like that," Yates said of Philadelphia. "I wasn't on the team, but I was there. It was a little different. But truthfully, in my eyes, that's kind of the way you want every road crowd. It makes playoffs feel different, and that's something that makes it fun, something that makes it enjoyable.
"I don't think it should be easy to go to somebody else's place and come away with a game. Same way the opposing team shouldn't come in here and have it easy. They should kind of feel the same way, and I think they do. Both teams have really good home crowds."
After witnessing the energy the crowd brought to the Braves after the team finally got off their offensive slide in the sixth inning, don't be surprised if Philly fans amp up the environment in the City of Brotherly Love, knowing a pair of wins would once again send the Braves home for the winter.
