Acuna homers twice, including 10th leadoff shot
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. knows how to start a party.
Acuna ignited the Braves' 4-1 victory Monday night over San Francisco by homering on the game's first pitch from Giants left-hander Andrew Suarez. It was Acuna's 10th career leadoff homer and second in as many days.
"He set the tone right away," said right-hander Mike Soroka, who limited San Francisco to two hits in eight innings. "One big swing and everybody just kind of fell into it, right?"
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In the seventh inning, Acuna added another solo shot, this one off reliever Nick Vincent, for his 11th homer of the season and second career multi-homer game.
According to Statcast, Acuna's leadoff drive traveled a projected 399 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph. His second homer went 417 feet with an exit velocity of 109 mph.
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More than one-fourth of Acuna's 37 career home runs have been of the leadoff variety. Eighteen of his lifetime homers have given Atlanta a lead.
Braves manager Brian Snitker elevated Acuna to the top of the order on May 10. Since then, the National League's defending East champions are 8-2.
Snitker can't help but notice Acuna's lively leadoff presence.
"I don't know what it is. He's just kind of a different guy there," Snitker said. "He kind of comes alive."
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Speaking through an interpreter, Acuna declined to state a preference for position in the batting order.
"I hope that the energy I bring is going to be contagious, when I'm at the bat, period," the NL's reigning Rookie of the Year said. "I don't change my mentality at all."
In 10 games batting first this year, Acuna is hitting .341 (14-for-41) with two doubles, four homers and nine RBIs. In 36 games from the cleanup spot this season, he has hit .278 with four doubles, a triple, seven homers and 21 RBIs.