around the horn

Actors have their “Oscar scenes.” Austin Riley might have had his “Gold Glove moment” on Saturday night. The former DeSoto Central High star and current Atlanta third baseman threw out an Arizona runner at first base, with the tying run charging home from third, to end the Braves’ 8-7, 10-inning win over the Diamondbacks. If you saw it, your jaw dropped. Riley fielded Randall Grichuk’s grounder behind the bag near the foul line and launched a two-hopper to first baseman Matt Olson, who made a clean scoop. The umpire clearly blew the call, but it was corrected on review. Braves win. The play that ended the game essentially upstaged the record-tying four-homer effort by Arizona’s Eugenio Suarez. Riley, a two-time All-Star in his seventh MLB campaign, has yet to win a Gold Glove. Those who watch him regularly have to wonder why. He has handled 65 chances this year with 49 assists and just two errors. He has a .965 career fielding percentage, tied with Clete Boyer for 33rd all-time. But apparently, Riley doesn’t rate high in the new-fangled metrics. “You can take those defensive metrics and put it you know where. I judge defense with my eyes,” Braves manager Brian Snitker once said of Riley. Matt Chapman won the National League Gold Glove at third last year, Ke’Bryan Hayes in 2023, breaking Nolan Arenado’s long stranglehold on the award. Maybe it’s Riley’s time. … Doug Nikhazy’s MLB debut was not one to remember. The Ole Miss product gave up six runs (including a steal of home) on five hits and six walks in three innings, taking the loss for Cleveland against Boston. … The A’s have placed right-hander J.T. Ginn on the injured list with elbow soreness. The ex-Mississippi State star joins nine — nine! — other Mississippians on the current MLB injured list. … Former Jackson Prep standout Konnor Griffin had his first three-hit game as a pro on Saturday for Low-Class A Bradenton in Pittsburgh’s chain. He hit his fourth homer, swiped his 11th bag and raised his average to .243. … Hail to the college champs: Delta State, William Carey, Millsaps and Pearl River Community College have won their conference regular season titles. Now it’s on to tournament play.