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Deadspin | Cavs come from behind to take 3-2 series lead vs. Raptors Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his three-point basket beside Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night. Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, has won all three of its home games so far. It can eliminate the fifth-seeded Raptors in Game 6 on Friday in Toronto. The Cavaliers used a 27-8 run that began late in the third to seize a 122-111 lead on two Max Strus free throws with 4:19 remaining. Schroder was the catalyst, igniting the sellout crowd with a midrange jumper and 3-pointer midway through the fourth. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes. RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career playoff-high 20 points and made 6-of-14 3-point attempts. Jamal Shead added 18 points off the bench and Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto. Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return, leaving them without two starters as point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss the entire series with a right hamstring strain. Point guards Walter and Shead combined to make 10 3-pointers after going 0-for-17 in the previous two games. Mobley made a 3-pointer and Schroder hit a layup to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Cavaliers a 108-103 advantage early in the fourth. Toronto missed 10 shots and went 4 1/2 minutes without a point until Barrett made a free throw with 7:55 left. Barrett made four free throws to open the third, allowing the Raptors to equal their largest lead at 79-67. After Barnes and Harden were separated on a jump ball by the officials, Mitchell had eight points and cut Cleveland’s deficit to 103-100. Walter scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, and Barnes had 14 points and eight rebounds as Toronto shot 64.4% in leading 74-67 at the half. Harden had 19 points at the break, committing four turnovers in the second alone. Harden scored 14 points and played the entire first, which saw Toronto jump ahead 22-10 behind eight points from Barnes before the Cavaliers rallied to go in front 38-34. Mitchell drained a 38-footer at the buzzer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cavs #series #lead #Raptors

Deadspin | Cavs come from behind to take 3-2 series lead vs. Raptors
Deadspin | Cavs come from behind to take 3-2 series lead vs. Raptors Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his three-point basket beside Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night. Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, has won all three of its home games so far. It can eliminate the fifth-seeded Raptors in Game 6 on Friday in Toronto. The Cavaliers used a 27-8 run that began late in the third to seize a 122-111 lead on two Max Strus free throws with 4:19 remaining. Schroder was the catalyst, igniting the sellout crowd with a midrange jumper and 3-pointer midway through the fourth. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes. RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career playoff-high 20 points and made 6-of-14 3-point attempts. Jamal Shead added 18 points off the bench and Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto. Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return, leaving them without two starters as point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss the entire series with a right hamstring strain. Point guards Walter and Shead combined to make 10 3-pointers after going 0-for-17 in the previous two games. Mobley made a 3-pointer and Schroder hit a layup to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Cavaliers a 108-103 advantage early in the fourth. Toronto missed 10 shots and went 4 1/2 minutes without a point until Barrett made a free throw with 7:55 left. Barrett made four free throws to open the third, allowing the Raptors to equal their largest lead at 79-67. After Barnes and Harden were separated on a jump ball by the officials, Mitchell had eight points and cut Cleveland’s deficit to 103-100. Walter scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, and Barnes had 14 points and eight rebounds as Toronto shot 64.4% in leading 74-67 at the half. Harden had 19 points at the break, committing four turnovers in the second alone. Harden scored 14 points and played the entire first, which saw Toronto jump ahead 22-10 behind eight points from Barnes before the Cavaliers rallied to go in front 38-34. Mitchell drained a 38-footer at the buzzer. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cavs #series #lead #RaptorsApr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his three-point basket beside Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night.

Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, has won all three of its home games so far. It can eliminate the fifth-seeded Raptors in Game 6 on Friday in Toronto.

The Cavaliers used a 27-8 run that began late in the third to seize a 122-111 lead on two Max Strus free throws with 4:19 remaining. Schroder was the catalyst, igniting the sellout crowd with a midrange jumper and 3-pointer midway through the fourth.

Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career playoff-high 20 points and made 6-of-14 3-point attempts. Jamal Shead added 18 points off the bench and Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto.


Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return, leaving them without two starters as point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss the entire series with a right hamstring strain.

Point guards Walter and Shead combined to make 10 3-pointers after going 0-for-17 in the previous two games.

Mobley made a 3-pointer and Schroder hit a layup to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Cavaliers a 108-103 advantage early in the fourth. Toronto missed 10 shots and went 4 1/2 minutes without a point until Barrett made a free throw with 7:55 left.

Barrett made four free throws to open the third, allowing the Raptors to equal their largest lead at 79-67. After Barnes and Harden were separated on a jump ball by the officials, Mitchell had eight points and cut Cleveland’s deficit to 103-100.

Walter scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, and Barnes had 14 points and eight rebounds as Toronto shot 64.4% in leading 74-67 at the half. Harden had 19 points at the break, committing four turnovers in the second alone.

Harden scored 14 points and played the entire first, which saw Toronto jump ahead 22-10 behind eight points from Barnes before the Cavaliers rallied to go in front 38-34. Mitchell drained a 38-footer at the buzzer.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cavs #series #lead #Raptors

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Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates his three-point basket beside Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Wednesday night.

Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, has won all three of its home games so far. It can eliminate the fifth-seeded Raptors in Game 6 on Friday in Toronto.

The Cavaliers used a 27-8 run that began late in the third to seize a 122-111 lead on two Max Strus free throws with 4:19 remaining. Schroder was the catalyst, igniting the sellout crowd with a midrange jumper and 3-pointer midway through the fourth.

Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career playoff-high 20 points and made 6-of-14 3-point attempts. Jamal Shead added 18 points off the bench and Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 assists for Toronto.

Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return, leaving them without two starters as point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss the entire series with a right hamstring strain.

Point guards Walter and Shead combined to make 10 3-pointers after going 0-for-17 in the previous two games.

Mobley made a 3-pointer and Schroder hit a layup to complete a 13-0 run that gave the Cavaliers a 108-103 advantage early in the fourth. Toronto missed 10 shots and went 4 1/2 minutes without a point until Barrett made a free throw with 7:55 left.

Barrett made four free throws to open the third, allowing the Raptors to equal their largest lead at 79-67. After Barnes and Harden were separated on a jump ball by the officials, Mitchell had eight points and cut Cleveland’s deficit to 103-100.

Walter scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, and Barnes had 14 points and eight rebounds as Toronto shot 64.4% in leading 74-67 at the half. Harden had 19 points at the break, committing four turnovers in the second alone.

Harden scored 14 points and played the entire first, which saw Toronto jump ahead 22-10 behind eight points from Barnes before the Cavaliers rallied to go in front 38-34. Mitchell drained a 38-footer at the buzzer.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Andre Pallante, Cardinals edge Pirates Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six. Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series. Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight. Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out. Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4. Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout. Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings. J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout. Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled. Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away. The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #PiratesApr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.

Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series.

Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.

Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out.

Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.


Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout.

Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings.

J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout.

Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled.

Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away.

The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates">Deadspin | Andre Pallante, Cardinals edge Pirates Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six. Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series. Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight. Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out. Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4. Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout. Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings. J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout. Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled. Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away. The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates

Jack Draper announced on Wednesday he had been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury.

It was a further setback for the 24-year-old British tennis player, a former world number four, following a longstanding arm injury that sidelined him for close to eight months.

Draper has managed just nine matches across five events since returning to competitive action in February and retired during his first-round clash with Tomas Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open earlier this month.

He was subsequently diagnosed with an aggravated knee tendon injury but had hoped to feature in the second Grand Slam of the year next month.

Draper has now decided against risking further injury on the clay at Roland Garros and will now try to regain full fitness ahead of the grass-court season, with Wimbledon starting on June 29.

“My knee is on the mend, and I’ve started back hitting balls, but, unfortunately, I have been advised not to play Roland Garros,” Draper wrote on Instagram. “As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay.

“Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I’ve been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!”

Under a year ago, Draper was ranked in the world’s top four after winning the title at Indian Wells and finishing runner-up at another Masters 1000 event in Madrid.

But he now joins the injured Carlos Alcaraz in missing the French Open, with Draper likely to be outside the top 100 in the rankings when he does return.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Jack #Draper #ruled #French #Open #due #knee #injury">Jack Draper ruled out of French Open 2026 due to knee injury Jack Draper announced on Wednesday he had been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury.It was a further setback for the 24-year-old British tennis player, a former world number four, following a longstanding arm injury that sidelined him for close to eight months.Draper has managed just nine matches across five events since returning to competitive action in February and retired during his first-round clash with Tomas Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open earlier this month.He was subsequently diagnosed with an aggravated knee tendon injury but had hoped to feature in the second Grand Slam of the year next month.Draper has now decided against risking further injury on the clay at Roland Garros and will now try to regain full fitness ahead of the grass-court season, with Wimbledon starting on June 29.“My knee is on the mend, and I’ve started back hitting balls, but, unfortunately, I have been advised not to play Roland Garros,” Draper wrote on Instagram. “As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay.“Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I’ve been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!”Under a year ago, Draper was ranked in the world’s top four after winning the title at Indian Wells and finishing runner-up at another Masters 1000 event in Madrid.But he now joins the injured Carlos Alcaraz in missing the French Open, with Draper likely to be outside the top 100 in the rankings when he does return.Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Jack #Draper #ruled #French #Open #due #knee #injury

Deadspin | Matt Olson’s walk-off homer lifts Braves over Tigers Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen. It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer. The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games. The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two. The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven. Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon. The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting. Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back. Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field. Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #TigersApr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen.

It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer.

The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games.

The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two.


The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.

Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon.

The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting.

Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back.

Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field.

Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #Tigers">Deadspin | Matt Olson’s walk-off homer lifts Braves over Tigers Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen. It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer. The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games. The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two. The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven. Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon. The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting. Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back. Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field. Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #Tigers

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