As long as Ronald Acuña Jr. is in the outfield for the Atlanta Braves, the extraordinary feels possible. On Friday night at Truist Park, the 2023 National League MVP added to his highlight reel as he helped power the Braves to a 7–3 win over the New York Yankees in the opening game of the interleague series.
Ronald Acuña Looks to Lead Braves in Second Half
Acuña’s dominant two-way performance against Yankees
Acuña wasted no time making his presence felt in the series opener, doubling during Atlanta’s three-run first inning before tripling and scoring on rookie catcher Drake Baldwin’s two-out single in the fourth. But it was his arm, not his bat, that delivered the game’s defining moment.
In the top of the third inning, Braves starter Spencer Strider ran into trouble after issuing consecutive one-out walks to Jorbit Vivas and Trent Grisham, with Cody Bellinger at the plate, tension built as the slugger lifted a high fly ball into foul territory near the right-field corner.
Acuña got under the ball and made the catch near the line. Vivas, thinking the All-Star outfielder was too far to make a play, tagged and took off for third. Acuña spun and unleashed a laser to third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr., who applied the tag on a stunned Vivas, who didn’t even slide.
“I just always try to anticipate those plays,” Acuña said through a translator. “I was just trying to get kind of ready and thankfully I have a good arm.”
Acuña continues impressive campaign, looks ahead to second half
He called the throw “one of the best of my career.” It was yet another reminder that the Braves superstar isn’t just back, he’s fully reloaded.
Acuña returned to Atlanta’s lineup on May 23 after nearly a year of recovery from a torn ACL. He homered on the first pitch he saw, and he hasn’t looked back since. In 46 games since his return, he’s slashing .329/.442/.610 with a 1.052 OPS, 12 home runs and four stolen bases.
Acuña’s performance on Friday came just three days after he started in right field for the National League during the All-Star Game, hosted in Atlanta. Acuña said after the star-studded matchup that the Braves were ready to make a second-half push.
“We’re going to go out there with a purpose,” he said. “We’re going to go out there, give our best effort and put on a show for them.”
Acuña looks to lead Braves amidst rotation instability
That show will need to continue as the Braves face significant challenges on the mound. With ace Chris Sale out until at least August, Spencer Schwellenbach sidelined until September and both A.J. Smith-Shawver and Reynaldo López gone long-term, Atlanta’s rotation has become unstable.
But with Acuña leading the charge, the Braves are hoping that star power and defensive prowess can carry them through.
Main Photo Credits: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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