Acuna homers again as Harris drives in Braves' win over Cincinnati

CINCINNATI. – Ronald Acuña Jr. continued to show signs of regaining his best offensive form by hitting a home run and leading, along with Michael Harris II, the Atlanta Braves' 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, in the start of the series played at Great American Ball Park. The stellar Venezuelan outfielder opened the game with an impressive home run on the fourth pitch of the game, punishing a curveball from right-hander Chris Paddack that he deposited into the stands in left-center field. The hit, his fourth home run of the season, traveled 429 feet and left the bat at an estimated speed of 113 miles per hour, prolonging Acuña's great offensive moment after hitting a grand slam the night before at Fenway Park. Michael Harris II was another of Atlanta's offensive figures, batting 5-3 with three RBIs, leading the attack of the Braves, who achieved their 39th victory of the season. Atlanta took an early 4-0 lead in the early innings, although Cincinnati reacted with solo home runs from JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe to close the score. Starting pitcher Grant Holmes worked 4.2 innings in which he allowed three runs and seven hits, while Colombian Didier Fuentes earned the victory in relief work by dominating a dangerous situation in the fifth inning. Fuentes struck out Venezuelan Eugenio Suárez with runners on first and third to preserve Atlanta's lead, improving his ERA to 0.96. The Braves sealed the game with a four-run rally in the sixth inning, where Mike Yastrzemski and Dominican Jorge Mateo also contributed offensively. By Cincinnati, the Dominican Yunior Marte reappeared in the Major Leagues for the first time since 2024, after being called up to the team following Graham Ashcraft's injury. In other news, MLB Español published its most recent ranking of Latino hitters for the 2026 season, once again headed by Cuban Yordan Álvarez, of the Houston Astros, thanks to his impressive offensive production. The list also includes figures such as Andy Pagés, Willson Contreras, Jonathan Aranda, Otto López, Juan Soto, Ketel Marte, Elly de la Cruz, Yandy Díaz and Luis Arráez, who continue to shine in the current season.