The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds faced off at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, marking a notable event as it was recognized as the first Major League Baseball game played in the state of Tennessee. The historic contest was originally scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. ET, but adverse weather conditions led to a significant rain delay. Following this delay, the game finally commenced with the first pitch thrown at 9:40 p.m. ET. Unfortunately, the Braves and Reds were unable to complete a full inning before rain halted play once again.

Due to the extended weather interruptions, Major League Baseball announced that the remainder of the game would be postponed until Sunday, with play scheduled to resume at 1 p.m. ET. Chase Burns took to the mound for Cincinnati, successfully delivering a scoreless first inning. In contrast, Atlanta pitcher Austin Cox faced four batters in the bottom half of the first inning before the game was suspended. Cox managed to strike out TJ Friedl but subsequently allowed hits to Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and Austin Hays, with Hays driving in McLain to give the Reds a 1-0 advantage. When the game resumes, there will be one out in the bottom of the first inning, with runners positioned on first and second base.

The game also featured a unique pregame introduction led by actor Liam Neeson. Players embraced the distinctive atmosphere of the event by donning themed uniforms and accessories. Additionally, Grammy Award-winning artists Tim McGraw and Pitbull performed a concert prior to the game and interacted with the Reds in their clubhouse. All-Star starting pitcher Andrew Abbott made an appearance wearing a sleeveless race suit signed by Rusty Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion. Prior to the game, players from both teams were given rides around the track, enhancing the special experience for all involved. Bristol Motor Speedway typically accommodates 146,000 spectators for NASCAR events, though a portion of the seating was covered for this baseball game. Regardless, the matchup drew a boisterous crowd, with over 85,000 tickets sold. Reds manager Terry Francona acknowledged the impressive setup of the ballpark, noting, 'When you get outside of the field, it’s actually pretty cool. The way the stands kind of all face in, the ones they’re using, it looks pretty cool.' This matchup is particularly significant for Cincinnati, as the team sits 3.5 games behind the final National League wild card spot with a 58-53 record, and 8.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central standings. Meanwhile, the Braves hold the No. 4 position in the NL East with a record of 46-63.