“Choked up” with emotion, Atlanta Braves newcomer Dominic Smith circled the bases following a walk-off grand slam.
Smith’s dramatics capped a 6-2 victory at Truist Park on Saturday night, but, in that moment, all he could think of was his late mother, who passed after battling cancer March 15.
“I got choked up a bunch of times and I’m trying to hold back tears right now,” Smith said, as reported by MLB.com. “It’s just so special. I feel her every day.”
The Braves scored five ninth-inning runs to secure the win and improve to 2-0.
Through the opening four days of the 2026 season, walk-off wins were becoming the norm. Here’s a look at other early-season, game-ending hits:
Blue Jays go back-to-back
The Toronto Blue Jays edged the Athletics in consecutive walk-off wins to open the campaign.
Andres Gimenez started the mini-streak with a two-out, ninth-inning single on Thursday, leading the Blue Jays to a 3-2 win. Ernie Clement followed Saturday with a one-out, 11th-inning single, lifting the Blue Jays to an 8-7 victory.
Luis Robert Jr. enjoys first big Mets moment
After flaming out with the Chicago White Sox, newcomer Luis Robert Jr. slammed a three-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning, leading the New York Mets to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.
Robert’s first NL home run helped the Mets improve to 2-0.
JJ Wetherhold converts first game-ending hit
Rookie JJ Wetherhold’s single through the Tampa Bay Rays’ drawn-in infield scored the two-game-winning runs as the St. Louis Cardinals earned a 6-5 win.
Among a standout first two outings, the 2024 No. 7 overall draft pick executed his first career walk-off hit.
Dane Myers reaches trifecta
Dane Myers scored designated runner TJ Friedl on an 11th-inning single to left field Saturday, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
It was Myers’ third career walk-off hit.
Owen Caissie’s big weekend
Owen Caissie connected on a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday, leading the Miami Marlins to a 4-3 win over the visiting Colorado Rockies.
Caissie, who also doubled twice in the series finale, batted 5-for-10 during the three-game sweep. The Marlins improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2009.
Will MLB’s walk-off trend continue during Week 2?
