Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Braves’ Austin Riley homers in big-league debut

Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in his first game
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in Braves’ win
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in Braves’ win
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in Braves’ win
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in Braves’ win
Photos: Braves’ Austin Riley crushes home run in Braves’ win
1 / 23
Braves outfielder Austin Riley hits a solo home run in his first major-league game on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
May 16, 2019

Austin Riley brought his home-run swing with him to Atlanta.

Riley, who hit 13 home runs in his past 18 games for Triple-A Gwinnett before being promoted to the big leagues, homered on his second at-bat Wednesday night at SunTrust Park.

His solo home run in the fourth inning of the Braves’ game against St. Louis was estimated to travel 438 feet into the left-center field stands at a 109.1-mph exit velocity. It came against Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha.

Riley, making his MLB debut, struck out in his first at-bat in the second inning.

MORE: Riley’s big bat gets him to Atlanta at unfamiliar position.

About the Author

Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.

Follow Tim Tucker on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez claps during a spring training practice at Peoria Sports Complex on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Peoria, Arizona. Suarez has signed to play with the Braves. (Meg McLaughlin/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Answering questions about Yastrzemski, Suarez, Braves offseason

Rather than shopping in the bargain bin, general manager Alex Anthopoulos spent aggressively to meet two needs that were part of the club’s downfall in 2025.

Mike Yastrzemski has ‘long-term memories of rooting for the Braves’

“The No. 1 thing is the history of the organization and trying to win,” Yastrzemski said when asked what separated the Braves from his other suitors.

Braves add to their bullpen in signing All-Star Robert Suarez

The Atlanta Braves signed reliever Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract Thursday. Suarez is the team’s second significant signing in as many days.

The Latest

Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez claps during a spring training practice at Peoria Sports Complex on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Peoria, Arizona. Suarez has signed to play with the Braves. (Meg McLaughlin/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Answering questions about Yastrzemski, Suarez, Braves offseason

Mike Yastrzemski has ‘long-term memories of rooting for the Braves’

Braves add to their bullpen in signing All-Star Robert Suarez

Featured

Students line up after school for school buses at Sequoyah Middle School in Doraville on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The school’s principal told teachers not to talk to students about ICE, and teachers and activists are pushing back. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

DeKalb students raise fears about ICE raids; teachers told not to talk about it

The Sequoyah Middle School community asked DeKalb school officials to better support students who fear ICE.

Two-day effort helps free endangered right whale off Georgia coast

Georgia state officials helped disentangle a North American right whale, one of the most endangered whales on the planet.

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

A Georgia Inspector General's report found State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston violated the board's code of conduct by attending a Donald Trump campaign rally.