Atlanta on Edge: Braves Squander Chance for Hometown World Series Victory Party

A Atlanta Braves fan watches during the ninth inning in Game 5 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Atlanta was denied a hometown celebration when the Houston Astros rallied from an early 4-0 deficit for a 9-5 win over the Braves in Game 5 of the World Series.

Truist Field had been rocking. The pearl-clad fans were sensing Sunday was going to be a special night, the kind they’d been marking on the calendar for more than a quarter-century.

Surely after Adam Duvall hit a grand slam in the very first inning, the Braves would be celebrating their first World Series title since 1995.

Then, Halloween took a frightening turn. The Braves squandered their lead and turned in a listless performance.

Now, an entire city is on edge again. The Series returns to Houston for Game 6 on Tuesday night.

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