Ronald Acuña fends off followers in Braves’ rout of Rockies

MLB

“I used to be slightly scared at first.”

By DENNIS GEORGATOS, Related Press

August 29, 2023 | 12:53 AM

DENVER (AP) —

Ronald Acuña Jr. fended off two followers, together with one who made contact with him in proper discipline, whereas sparking the Atlanta Braves to a 14-4 rout of the Colorado Rockies on Monday evening.

Acuña tied profession highs with 4 hits and 5 RBIs, hitting his twenty ninth dwelling run and stealing two bases to extend his main league-leading whole to 61. He’s one homer shy of turning into the primary 30/60 participant.

One fan obtained his arms in opposition to Acuña throughout the center of the seventh inning, simply after Atlanta scored 4 runs to open a 9-4 lead. Two safety folks rapidly grabbed the fan and, as they tried to tug him away, a 3rd safety particular person approached.

A second fan then sprinted towards the group, flattening Acuña, and that fan was tackled as one of many safety folks chased him down.

Acuña wasn’t injured and remained within the recreation.

“I used to be slightly scared at first,” Acuña stated via an interpreter. “I feel the followers have been on the market and asking for footage. I actually couldn’t say something as a result of at that time, safety was already there and we have been already sort of tousled, however safety was capable of get there and every little thing’s OK. We’re all OK and I hope they’re OK.”

Teammate Kevin Pillar expressed aid Acuña wasn’t harm.

“Fortunately, they weren’t there to do any hurt, however you simply by no means know throughout these conditions,” stated Pillar, who was among the many teammates and coaches who rushed to Acuña’s protection. “They have been excessive followers and wished to get an image, put their fingers on him. However under no circumstances is it acceptable for folks to depart the stands, much more to place their fingers on another person.”

Main league-best Atlanta (85-45) had 18 hits. The Braves have gained 4 of 5 and 10 of 13.

Colorado (49-82) was assured its fifth consecutive shedding season.

Acuña grew to become the fourth participant 25 or extra homers and 60 or extra steals, becoming a member of Corridor of Famers Joe Morgan (1973, ’76) and Rickey Henderson (1986, ’90) together with Eric Davis (1986).

Acuña, who leads the most important leagues with 119 runs, scored on Austin Riley’s third-inning homer in opposition to Austin Gomber and hit a two-run homer within the fifth off Karl Kaufmann (1-4).

Acuña singled main off the seventh and stole second off Evan Justice, getting an enormous soar and sliding into second as Justice threw vainly to first. He scored on a single by Riley, who had three RBIs.

Acuña singled within the eighth and stole second off Tommy Doyle with no throw.

“He’s a particular, particular participant, a gifted younger man,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “Something he’s going to do on this recreation shouldn’t be going to shock me. I simply assume he’s that gifted.”

Pillar put the Braves in entrance to remain at 5-4 with a sacrifice fly within the sixth, then robbed Nolan Jones of additional bases within the backside half with a spectacular diving catch in left.

Sean Murphy doubled thrice and drove in a run for the Braves, who’ve gained six in a row at Coors Discipline.

Ryan McMahon homered for the Rockies, who fell to 0-5 this season in opposition to the Braves.

“They’ve obtained a superb ballclub, little doubt,” McMahon stated. “They’ve obtained some actually particular gamers over there.”

Braves All Star second baseman Ozzie Albies went 0 for 4 in his return from the injured checklist after lacking 12 video games as a result of a strained left hamstring.

Bryce Elder (11-4) gained his third straight resolution, permitting 4 runs and eight hits in six innings.

Gomber’s velocity was down about 3 mph on all his pitchers and left with again soreness after giving up a triple to Matt Olson with two outs within the third. Gomber stated he hopes to take his subsequent flip within the rotation.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: RHP Darius Vines was recalled from Gwinnett. Lefty Jared Shuster was optioned to the Triple-A crew together with infielder Vaughn Grissom, who had began a handful of video games at second in Albies’ absence.

Rockies: 2B Brendan Rodgers was a late scratch from the lineup due to sickness. … INF-OF Kris Bryant was scheduled to have an X-ray of his fractured left index finger to find out if it has healed to the purpose the place he can intensify his rehab efforts in hopes of returning this season. He has been sidelined since July 22. … RHP Ryan Feltner was set to take the subsequent step in his restoration from a fractured cranium and concussion. Feltner, who was injured Might 13 when he was struck within the head by a comebacker, was headed to the Excessive-A Spokane Indians. He’s scheduled to make a pitching look Wednesday, his first in a recreation because the harm.

UP NEXT

Atlanta RHP Charlie Morton (13-10, 3.37 ERA) is slated to start out Tuesday evening in opposition to RHP Peter Lambert (3-4, 4.92 ERA).