The Atlanta Braves took to the field at 5 p.m. Friday vying for the wild card spot in the postseason. The National League Wild Card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals is a "one and done" shot at the spot.
Fans from all over the country started to trickle into the area around Turner Field just before noon Friday. FOX 5 caught up with 80-year-old Marina, a loyal Braves fan, who was one of the first tailgaters.
Tailgaters began cooking well before the first pitch.
Hundreds of fans were in line when the gates to the stadium opened at 2 p.m. Some Braves loyalists told us – off camera – that they'd skipped out of work early to make it to the game.
Others said they'd traveled long distances to see the game. Jay Ell said he came from North Dakota, while Nick Baratto made the trek from New York.
Some fans said the one-game playoff would be a chance for the team to make amends for last year, when a late-season slide meant an early end for the club.
"The end of last season, we really fell apart and St. Louis was able to benefit from that, but this year I think it's a little bit of role reversal. I think it's our time to win," said Baratto.
If the Braves win, they'll begin a playoff series against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Tickets for that game and a Monday game would go on sale after Friday's game IF they win.
Traffic was impacted downtown and on the Connector as a result of the game.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Zack Wheeler lived up the hype in his major league debut, pitching six scoreless innings to lead the New York Mets to a 6-1 victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Sunday, June 16 2013 11:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 03:56:53 GMT
Freddie Freeman singled three times and drove in one run, Julio Teheran pitched six scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday night.
Freddie Freeman singled three times and drove in one run, Julio Teheran pitched six scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday night.
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:03:51 GMT
Freddie Freeman's bases-loaded, line-drive single off closer Sergio Romo capped a two-run rally in the ninth that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Freddie Freeman's bases-loaded, line-drive single off closer Sergio Romo capped a two-run rally in the ninth that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Madison Bumgarner allowed two hits in seven innings and combined with Sandy Rosario for a three-hit shutout in the San Francisco Giants' 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
Madison Bumgarner allowed two hits in seven innings and combined with Sandy Rosario for a three-hit shutout in the San Francisco Giants' 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says "barring any setbacks" Brandon Beachy will make his first start of the season during Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Mets.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says "barring any setbacks" Brandon Beachy will make his first start of the season during Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Mets.
Edinson Volquez struck out a season-high nine in seven innings as he rebounded from the worst start of his career and led the San Diego Padres to a 5-3 victory over the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves on Wednesday and...
Edinson Volquez struck out a season-high nine in seven innings as he rebounded from the worst start of his career and led the San Diego Padres to a 5-3 victory over the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves on Wednesday and a...
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:52:32 GMT
After bonding out on a 15-count criminal indictment, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis denied any wrongdoing, saying "I've done nothing wrong."
After bonding out on a 15-count criminal indictment, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis denied any wrongdoing, saying "I've done nothing wrong. I would never, ever, ever do anything to violate the public trust."
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:29 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:29:16 GMT
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
A local couple is happy to hear that members of a morning radio show fired for mocking a former ex-NFL star battling ALS now admit that they went too far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:13:25 GMT
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.Spartacus, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found dead in his handler's patrol car. Authorities later
The Woodstock Police Department says a police K-9 died after being left in his handler's patrol car.
