This archive report was first published on 31 October 2021.
On a chilly Saturday night in suburban Atlanta, the Braves' bullpen game came together to give their offense a chance to shine. The result was a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 4 of the World Series, putting the Braves on the cusp of their first championship since 1995.
Trailing most of the game, the Braves snatched the lead in the late innings. Jorge Soler's pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning gave Atlanta a 3-2 lead, and the team's fans erupted in celebration.
Before the game, former President Donald J. Trump and his wife, Melania, were among those doing the tomahawk chop, a tradition that has been called offensive by several Native American groups. Trump had called for a boycott of Major League Baseball in April after the league moved the All-Star Game from Truist Park due to Georgia's new voting law.
Despite the Astros' powerful offense, the Braves' bullpen game held strong. Rookie pitcher Dylan Lee made his first major league start in the World Series, but struggled to get out of the first inning. He was replaced by Kyle Wright, who provided a lift with four and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief.
Wright's performance was a key factor in the Braves' victory, as the team's offense struggled to get going until the late innings. When left fielder Eddie Rosario doubled with one out in the sixth inning, it was the first time Atlanta had a runner in scoring position on Saturday. He scored to halve the team's deficit when Austin Riley singled to left field.
With the game tied at 2-2, the Braves' offense came alive in the eighth inning. Soler's home run gave Atlanta a 3-2 lead, and the team's fans celebrated wildly.
