Braves Stun Royals with Ninth-Inning Comeback

Dominic Smith's walk-off grand slam caps a six-run rally in the final frame.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:08am

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the powerful swing and celebratory emotion of a baseball player hitting a game-winning home run.Dominic Smith's dramatic walk-off grand slam capped a stunning ninth-inning comeback for the Atlanta Braves against the Kansas City Royals.Atlanta Today

The Atlanta Braves staged a dramatic comeback against the Kansas City Royals, scoring six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning capped by a walk-off grand slam from Dominic Smith to win 6-2.

Why it matters

The Braves' stunning victory showcases the unpredictable nature of baseball, where no lead is ever safe until the final out is recorded. This thrilling comeback will energize the Braves' fanbase and serve as an early-season highlight for the team.

The details

With the Braves trailing 2-0 going into the ninth inning, they mounted a rally against the Royals' bullpen. A series of walks, singles, and a crucial error allowed the Braves to tie the game before Smith stepped up and launched a game-winning grand slam to complete the comeback.

  • The game took place on Saturday night.

The players

Dominic Smith

The Braves' slugger who hit the walk-off grand slam to cap the ninth-inning rally.

Atlanta Braves

The home team that staged the dramatic comeback victory over the Royals.

Kansas City Royals

The visiting team that held a 2-0 lead going into the ninth inning before the Braves' rally.

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What they’re saying

“That was one of the craziest games I've ever been a part of. The guys never gave up and kept battling until the end. Dominic's blast was an unbelievable way to win it.”

— Brian Snitker, Braves Manager

What’s next

The Braves and Royals will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon.

The takeaway

The Braves' thrilling comeback victory showcases the unpredictable drama that makes baseball such a captivating sport, and will provide a much-needed early-season boost for the home team as they look to build momentum in the NL East race.