Marlins still seeking ways to slow Acuña

ATLANTA – Ronald Acuña Jr. vs. the Marlins is a well-chronicled rivalry. Much has been written about the hit-by-pitches of seasons’ past.

As one of the Majors’ premier talents, Acuña’s five-tool skill shines brightest against the Marlins. Entering Friday night’s series opener, his regular-season numbers in 59 games vs. Miami were as follows: .327/.432/.681 with 62 runs, 15 doubles, one triple, 21 homers, 52 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

Those improved with his game-tying pinch-hit RBI double in the Marlins’ 6-4 loss to the Braves at Truist Park. Atlanta improved to 44-19 against Miami when Acuña played, including the 2020 National League Division Series sweep.

“Obviously, it feels good to have success against any team whatsoever,” Acuña said via an interpreter. “Yeah, it’s good to have it against the Marlins. I can say now that I love playing against the Marlins.”

When Miami visited Atlanta last month, Acuña had yet to make his season debut. The Marlins capitalized, winning two of three against the reigning World Series champions, in only the second series victory for the club at that venue since it opened in 2017. The Braves repaid the favor at loanDepot park last weekend, taking two of three in Acuña’s return to the site of his torn ACL.

Atlanta is clearly a different club without the superstar Acuña, who hadn’t played since Tuesday due to a Grade 1 right quad strain. Lefty Trevor Rogers was perfect through four innings before Austin Riley’s leadoff homer sparked a three-run fifth. Miami then responded with a four-run sixth on taters from Garrett Cooper and Jesús Aguilar to take a 4-3 lead.

That held until the biggest moment of the game. After a leadoff walk to the left-handed-hitting Matt Olson, southpaw Steven Okert retired the next two batters in the seventh. Braves manager Brian Snitker decided to pinch-hit for Travis Demeritte with one of baseball’s top-tier bats at his disposal -- one that was clearly healthy enough for the situation. So, Marlins manager Don Mattingly countered with right-hander Anthony Bass with a runner at first and two outs.

Mattingly called it the club’s best matchup -- at least by numbers -- though there’s never a great one for Acuña. Entering that at-bat, he had slightly better career numbers vs. lefties (.283/.398/.566) compared to righties (.281/.371/.539).

Bass got ahead in the count, 1-2, but Acuña sent the third consecutive slider to left field for a game-tying RBI double. Bass’ slider has been his best pitch this season, with a -4 run value and a 41.7 percent whiff rate. He’s turned to it a career-high 62.9 percent of the time this season.

“My game plan was obviously to get ahead in the count, and then put him away with a good-executed slider,” Bass said. “I didn't execute it down and away where I wanted to. He was able to put a good swing on it. That was my game plan going against him. Executed a good high fastball where I wanted to, threw some good sliders and then I left one out over the plate for him to handle.”

Added Mattingly: “When he gets the hit, the place goes crazy in a spot like that to tie it up. He's a great player, so it's hard to get him out no matter what. They're going to be better with him in there no matter what. In any situation, you just don't ever like him in there.”

Dansby Swanson followed with a walk before Ozzie Albies’ blooper dropped for the go-ahead two-run double. On that offering to Albies, Bass located the slider down in the zone and induced weak contact (63.6 mph exit velocity) that happened to drop. Acuña easily raced home, while Swanson ran through third-base coach Ron Washington’s stop sign and caught left fielder Jorge Soler off guard for the second run.

What makes Acuña so elite? According to Mattingly, it’s because Acuña has fewer holes in his swing and is dangerous in lots of ways -- from the basepaths to his pop.

“The really good hitters in the game, they don't miss mistakes very often from what I've seen over the years, just like tonight,” Bass said. “I made a mistake right over the plate with my slider, and he put a good swing on it and got a double and tied the game there. Just got to do a better job of executing in those situations once I get ahead in counts. I like my chances moving forward.”