Acuña Jr. and Harris II Guide Braves to Victory Over Reds
Cincinnati – Ronald Acuña Jr. demonstrated his offensive power by hitting a home run, leading alongside Michael Harris II the Atlanta Braves’ 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the start of the series played at Great American Ball Park.
The Venezuelan gardener started the game with an impressive home run, connecting the ball on the fourth pitch of the game, sending right-hander Chris Paddack’s curveball to the stands in left-center field.
The hit, the fourth of the season for Acuña Jr., traveled 429 feet and came off the bat at an estimated speed of 113 miles per hour, continuing the player’s great offensive moment after hitting a grand slam the night before.
Michael Harris II was also key in Atlanta’s offense, batting 3-for-5 with three RBIs and leading the Braves’ attack, who secured their 39th win of the season.
Atlanta took an early 4-0 lead in the early innings, although Cincinnati reacted with solo home runs from JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe, closing the gap in the score.
Starting pitcher Grant Holmes worked 4.2 innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. Didier Fuentes, a Colombian reliever, earned the victory by dominating a dangerous situation in the fifth inning.
Fuentes struck out Venezuelan Eugenio Suárez with runners on first and third, preserving Atlanta’s lead and improving his ERA to 0.96.
The Braves sealed the game with a four-run rally in the sixth inning, with offensive contributions from Mike Yastrzemski and the Dominican Jorge Mateo.
By Cincinnati, the Dominican Yunior Marte reappeared in the Major Leagues for the first time since 2024, after being called up to the team following Graham Ashcraft’s injury.
