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WEST SACRAMENTO – If anyone doubted that Ronald Acuña Jr. would be ready for the All-Star Game festivities, the Venezuelan dispelled all uncertainty with an explosive return to the lineup. With two home runs in the 9-2 victory over the Athletics, Acuña showed that he is more than ready for the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and to be a protagonist in his home, Truist Park.
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"I'm super excited," Acuña said after the game. "I can't wait for those days to come." Tuesday night set off alarms when he was removed from the lineup due to lower back discomfort, but the worry didn't last long. Wednesday dawned without pain and he didn't take long to prove it: he opened the game with a home run to left field with an exit velocity of 110 mph, igniting a four-run offensive in the first inning. "That was a home run in any stadium in the United States, at any time of day," said manager Brian Snitker. In the fourth episode, Acuña hit it again, this time with a hit to the opposite field, even though Mitch Spence's pitch was far from the center of the plate. According to Statcast, it was one of the most difficult pitches to hit that he has turned into a home run in his entire career. This was Acuña's 14th multi-homer game, and his first since September 2023. It also marked his 37th leadoff home run, solidifying his status as one of the most dangerous leadoff hitters in recent MLB history. Acuña came from a significant offensive slump, with a .171 average and no extra-base hits in the last 15 games, but his performance on Wednesday suggests that the worst is over, just in time to shine before his audience at the All-Star Game. In addition to Acuña, the Braves saw their offense reborn: Drake Baldwin hit a three-run homer in the first, Austin Riley added another two-run homer in the second, and Marcell Ozuna joined in with a solo home run in the sixth. With five home runs, Atlanta achieved its highest figure of the season in a single game. "Whenever he [Acuña] is at 100%, you know something good is going to happen," commented starting pitcher Bryce Elder. Now, all eyes are on next Monday and Tuesday, when Acuña will seek to shine as a local in the Derby and the All-Star Game. And if Wednesday's event was a preview... the fireworks are just beginning.
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