Pillar helps Braves rally after Acuña avoids injury

PITTSBURGH -- Along with being concerned about Ronald Acuña Jr.’s health on Tuesday night, Braves manager Brian Snitker had to think about whether he had enough outfielders to get through the remainder of the game.

One of the options was Kevin Pillar, who expressed appreciation after taking advantage of his latest opportunity in an 8-6 comeback win over the Pirates at PNC Park. The Braves backup outfielder delivered a game-tying single with two outs in the ninth and then made a great dash to score from first base on Orlando Arcia’s game-winning double.

“Crazy thoughts go through your head in this game,” Pillar said. “You doubt your ability sometimes when you go through a rut. So this is a big confidence booster for me, I think a big confidence booster for this team. I’m just lucky to be a part of it.”

One out away from a fourth straight loss, the Braves tallied three runs in a ninth-inning rally. As a bonus, an X-ray exam confirmed Acuña didn’t suffer any fractures when he was struck on the left elbow by Pirates reliever Colin Holderman’s 97 mph fastball in the sixth.

“I guess it went where the crease is on the [elbow guard],” Snitker said. “I’m sure it stung him pretty good. I’m sure he lost feeling in his arm. I’m just glad nothing showed up.”

Acuña certainly wasn’t happy with being backed off the plate with Holderman’s first pitch of the night. After being struck with the hurler’s third pitch, the Braves outfielder flung his bat, and he slammed his batting helmet to the ground as he prepared to go to the clubhouse.

Acuña hit his 26th homer to begin the game. The top National League MVP candidate is on pace to hit 36 homers and tally 77 stolen bases.

His exit followed Pillar’s entrance at the start of the sixth.

Once the Pirates pulled right-handed starter Mitch Keller and went with left-hander Ryan Borucki to begin the inning, Pillar replaced Eddie Rosario, whose defensive limitations have become more glaring as he has produced a .549 OPS since the All-Star break.

Still, Pillar entered Tuesday with just 17 plate appearances and two starts since the All-Star break, which had something to do with the Braves facing a lot of right-handed starters during this span.

But as Pillar showed with his game-tying single against Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar, he can still occasionally deliver in a right vs. right matchup. He might have actually gotten some help.

As the Braves prepared for batting practice, the owner of the Roberto Clemente Museum brought the bat Clemente used during the 1972 All-Star Game in Atlanta. After touching the bat, Pillar was told the bat had mojo.

That was it, right?

“Oh, the mojo. No [I hadn’t thought about it] until you mentioned it,” Pillar said. “But I’m going to give credit to that.”

After sending Bednar’s 98.2 mph fastball to left field, Pillar showed his great baserunning skills, as he scored from first on Arcia’s game-winning double. The ball hit the portion of the left-field wall that juts out beyond the tarp, and Pillar seemed to anticipate this without breaking stride as he neared third base.

“[Baserunning] is definitely a strength of mine,” Pillar said. “It’s just a matter of getting on base sometimes. It’s something I take pride in. I love running the bases. I love being aggressive. I love scoring for my teammates. It’s just a challenge to get to first sometimes. So I was equally as excited to come through with a big hit and to run the bases as well.”

Arcia certainly appreciates the challenge Pillar faces as a bench player. Before he became an All-Star shortstop this summer, he spent two seasons on Atlanta’s bench.

“It seems like every time he's put in the lineup or in the game, he does his job,” Arcia said through an interpreter. “I'm very happy for him, and thankfully, we were able to win the game.”

Pillar had an extra reward waiting for him as he prepared to leave the clubhouse. His parents just happened to pick a good night to come to the ballpark. Along with getting to see him play, they had a chance to see him create a special moment.

“I’m definitely on the back end of my career,” Pillar said. “So every moment I have, I cherish, and it’s even more special when they are here.”