In just 3rd year, Acuña ties a Braves HR mark
This browser does not support the video element.
ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuña Jr. once again announced his return in an authoritative manner and matched a Braves franchise record in the process.
Acuña tallied his fifth career multihomer game and tied a franchise record for leadoff home runs as the Braves claimed a 7-1 win over the Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday at Truist Park.
“He kind of picked up where he left off, and that’s good for us,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Sitting back at the top of Atlanta’s lineup after missing this week’s three-game series in Boston with a tight right hamstring, Acuña opened the bottom of the first with his 17th career leadoff homer. This shot off Austin Voth matched the franchise record Felipe Alou set while serving as the Braves' leadoff hitter from 1964-69.
Alou batted leadoff 633 times for the Braves. Acuña matched this mark in just his 209th game as a leadoff hitter.
Told about this record, Snitker provided a self-deprecating response regarding his decision to move Acuña to the cleanup spot for the first six weeks of the 2019 season.
“He’s done a great job up there,” Snitker said. “Some [dummy] kept him out of the leadoff role last year.”
As the past few weeks have elapsed, Acuña has proven he loves doubleheaders and has the ability to shake off rust. His two-run shot off Voth in the fourth inning matched the multihomer performance he produced in the second game of a doubleheader against the Phillies on Aug. 9.
This browser does not support the video element.
Acuña totaled three homers that day in Philadelphia and now has six homers in the 16 at-bats he’s compiled during doubleheaders this year. He’s homered just once in his other 66 at-bats this year.
Acuña’s 473-foot leadoff homer against the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole on Aug. 26 came in the first game of a doubleheader. The monstrous homer came in his first at-bat after missing two weeks with left wrist inflammation.
So maybe it shouldn’t have been surprising to see Acuña miss three games this week and then begin this latest twin bill with yet another leadoff homer.
“Some of them are chosen, that’s for sure,” Snitker said.