{"id":17606,"date":"2019-03-06T19:01:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-07T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=17606"},"modified":"2019-03-06T19:01:00","modified_gmt":"2019-03-07T00:01:00","slug":"atlanta-braves-top-five-moments-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/03\/06\/atlanta-braves-top-five-moments-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Braves Top Five Moments From 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2018 season was an extraordinary one for the Atlanta Braves<\/a> franchise. They put an end to their rebuilding phase and five-year playoff drought, finishing 2018 with a division title and 90 wins. The Braves incredible\u00a0campaign was filled with so many great moments, moments that will be lasting memories by everyone in Braves Country for years to come. So let’s take a look at the Atlanta Braves top five moments from 2018.<\/p>\n

Braves Top Five Moments<\/h1>\n

\u00a0No. 5 – Ronald Acu\u00f1a<\/a> Jr.<\/strong>‘s First Home Run<\/h2>\n

There was no doubt that Acu\u00f1a would be special once he made his MLB debut. Acu\u00f1a was held back in Triple-A until April when he finally got the much-anticipated call that he was being promoted to the Braves.<\/p>\n

He definitely lived up to the hype, homering off Homer Bailey<\/a><\/strong> in just his second big league game against the Cincinnati Reds. This was only the first highlight for Acu\u00f1a in 2018, but it was the start of his tremendous 2018 Rookie of the Year campaign. A moment that will never be forgotten.<\/p>\n

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WELCOME TO THE SHOW ACU\u00d1A JR!#ChopOn<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zdT3eHsaqH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 26, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No. 4 – Six-run Rally to Sink the Miami Marlins<\/h2>\n

Arguably one of the most memorable comebacks in Braves history happened last season on May 20 against the Marlins. This game was exactly eight years to the day that Brooks Conrad<\/a><\/strong> hit a walk-off Grand Slam to complete a seven-run, 9th-inning comeback against the Reds.<\/p>\n

The Braves trailed 9-4 in the bottom of the ninth before rallying back to make it 9-8. Then Dansby Swanson<\/a><\/strong> delivered with a two-out, two-run single that capped a six-run rally to secure a 10-9 win over the Marlins. This comeback gave the Braves a series win over Miami and provided them a 1.5 game lead in the NL East.<\/p>\n

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PANDEMONIUM AT SUNTRUST!!<\/p>\n

The @Braves<\/a> pull off the improbable comeback against the @Marlins<\/a>. #Braves<\/a> | #ChopOn<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lbypYgRABD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) May 20, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No. 3 – Nick Markakis<\/a><\/strong> Opening Day Walk-off<\/h2>\n

This was the much needed, magical start to the Braves 2018 season. Markakis hit a two-out, three-run walk-off homer to give the Braves an opening day victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves trailed in this game 5-0 in the sixth inning before rallying back. This moment gave the Braves life right from the start, including a belief that they could compete in the NL East.<\/p>\n

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NICK MARKAKIS … WALK-OFF HOMER.@Braves<\/a> rally to take down the Phillies on #OpeningDay<\/a>.#ChopOn<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sbkjJEOZO7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) March 29, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No. 2 Acu\u00f1a’s Grand Slam<\/h2>\n

Acu\u00f1a provided excitement all season long once he stepped foot on a big-league field. But almost everyone can agree that this was the most exciting moment. Acu\u00f1a’s grand slam against the LA Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS gave the Braves an early 5-0 lead and helped Atlanta get its first-ever postseason win at SunTrust Park.\u00a0He also made history becoming the youngest player to hit a grand slam in the postseason at age 20. He surpassed Mickey Mantle<\/a><\/strong> who previously held the record at age 21. This has already cemented itself as one of the most memorable moments in the short life of Suntrust Park.<\/p>\n

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NO MORE TALK. LET THE KIDS PLAY!#ChopOn<\/a> | #ForEachOther<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6ibrMGHbPO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 8, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

No. 1 – The NL East Title<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Braves ended their five-year playoff drought in 2018 after they beat the Phillies 5-3 on September 22. Despite being predicted by most to finish in or near the bottom of the NL East, they put together a shocking 2018 campaign and ended up as division champs nonetheless. This season was truly a testament to what hard work and determination can do for a team. Winning the NL East officially ended the rebuilding process and gave Braves fans the feeling that it was all worth it.<\/p>\n

Hello Postseason! pic.twitter.com\/q6yyAA1y1k<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 22, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>