Atlanta on Edge: Braves Squander Chance for Hometown Party

Atlanta Braves right fielder Joc Pederson, from left, third baseman Austin Riley and shortstop Dansby Swanson react during the ninth inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta, on Nov. 1, 2021. John Bazemore/AP Photo

ATLANTA—The place was rocking, the pearl-clad fans sensing this truly was going to be a special night, the kind they'd been hopefully marking on the calendar for more than a quarter-century.

Surely after Adam Duvall launched one into the tabled seats in right field for a grand slam in the very first inning, the Atlanta Braves would be celebrating their first World Series title since 1995.