Riley’s homer off Duran lifts Braves over Phillies in NLWCS opener

Atlanta (AP) — Austin Riley hit a three-run homer off All-Star closer Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3

Duran (0-1), who allowed just two homers in 61 regular-season games, gave up a single to Michael Harris II before hitting Ozzie Albies with a pitch. Riley drove the go-ahead blast over the wall in right-center field. Harris had three hits.

Braves ace Chris Sale dueled for much of the game against left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who was sharp after missing the last couple weeks of the regular season with left shoulder inflammation.

J.T. Realmuto’s two-run triple off Sale in the seventh inning gave Philadelphia a 3-2 lead.

WHITE SOX 6, ASTROS 3

HOUSTON (AP) — Colson Montgomery hit a solo homer and Sam Antonacci drove in two runs to lead Chicago over Houston in Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series.

The White Sox, in the postseason for the first time since 2021, made a remarkable turnaround this year to become the only team in major league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. They had lost 100 games three straight seasons, including 121 defeats in 2024, setting the record for most losses since 1899.

The White Sox led 3-0 after two innings and held on for their first playoff win since Oct. 10, 2021 in the ALDS against Houston.

Houston had runners on first and third with two outs in the eighth after singles by Jeremy Peña and MVP-favorite Yordan Alvarez when Jose Altuve reached and Peña scored on an error by third baseman Miguel Vargas to cut the lead to 6-3.