When the New York Mets look back at their disappointing series in Atlanta this past weekend to try to find answers, it’ll be impossible to overlook one non-play from Austin Riley in Sunday’s game.
For all the uncharacteristic struggles from Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, the Mets still had a strong chance to draw even in the NL East standings and go into the final three games of the season owning the tiebreaker. But really, one decision from the Braves third baseman might have been enough to swing that division race in Atlanta’s favor.
With the Mets up two runs in the third inning with runners on the corners and no outs, a soft grounder down the third-base line looked destined to score another run for the Mets. All they needed was for Riley to make a play on the ball where he would’ve had no chance at throwing out Mark Canha.
Austin Riley is tied for the MLB lead for Defensive Runs Saved by a 3B since September 1 (with 6).
He looked good vs the Mets, though it was a play he chose not to make that was the key play of the weekend#ForTheA #PorLaA pic.twitter.com/AbKFXwLBnq
— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) October 3, 2022
Riley — at the literal final moment — decided to let the ball go. It was a gamble that had to be incredibly difficult to make in real time, especially with a play that was so close. But Riley had to know that the Braves’ only hope of success in that situation was a foul ball, so he took the chance.
And it paid off.
The ball narrowly trickled foul. With new life, Charlie Morton was able to get Canha to pop out in the infield and retire the next two batters without allowing a run. The Braves ended up scoring three runs to take the lead in the bottom half of the inning and went on to complete the sweep of the Mets.
The Braves head into the final three games of the season with a two-game lead in the division, and Riley’s smart play understandably deserved plenty of credit.
This was how Twitter reacted
Austin Riley made one of the smartest plays I’ve ever seen tonight and I think it may very well have won them the division.
— Beaneater Buzz🍦(The Bean King) (@BeaneaterB) October 3, 2022
Austin Riley letting that ball go foul at 3rd was the biggest play in the game
— MAGIC NUMBER 1 (@Munchbag1988) October 3, 2022
I don’t know if you guys know this from listening to the ESPN broadcast but the Atlanta Braves became the 2022 World Series champs when Austin Riley let that ball go foul. Greatest play in MLB history.
— Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) October 3, 2022
Austin Riley not picking up that foul ball changed the entire game. The Mets probably win if he picks it up.
— Chris Kieser (@ckieser13) October 3, 2022
IQ 1000 play by Austin Riley and in all honesty why we cashed tonight with the Braves #GamblingTwitter #MLB pic.twitter.com/q6quQyg3O0
— pig_vig (@pig_vig) October 3, 2022
Austin Riley, big brain.
— Jacob Hollingsworth (@Hollingsworth_J) October 3, 2022
I can’t believe this game turned because Austin Riley let a squibber roll foul
— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) October 3, 2022
The play that ultimately decided the division https://t.co/dgqzeErW9J
— William Hill (@NotTheeWillHill) October 3, 2022
Man that decision to not field that ball by Austin Riley ended up being huge. What a great decision
— Josh Simmons⚫🔴🏆 (@JoshSimmons33) October 3, 2022
Those are the types of decisions championship players make.
