Acuña Jr. Resurges with Power: Double HR and Ready for the Home Run Derby

Acuña Jr. Shows His Power with Two Home Runs and Prepares for the All-Star Game

WEST SACRAMENTO – Ronald Acuña Jr. dispelled any doubts about his physical condition and performance with a stellar performance, demonstrating that he is ready for the All-Star Game. The Venezuelan hit two home runs in the 9-2 victory over the Athletics, showcasing his offensive power. Acuña showed that he is in top form for the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and to be a protagonist at Truist Park, his home. I’m super excited. I can’t wait for those days to arrive. The initial concern arose on Tuesday when he was removed from the lineup due to lower back discomfort, but it quickly dissipated. On Wednesday, Acuña proved to be recovered by opening the game with a home run to left field, with an exit velocity of 110 mph, driving a four-run offense in the first inning.

That was a home run in any stadium in the United States, at any time of day.
Brian Snitker, Manager

In the fourth episode, Acuña repeated the feat with a hit to the opposite field, despite a difficult pitch from Mitch Spence. According to Statcast, this was one of the most difficult home runs of his career. This was the 14th game with multiple home runs for Acuña, and the first since September 2023. In addition, he added his 37th home run as the leadoff hitter of the game, solidifying his position as one of the most dangerous hitters. Acuña came from a period of low performance, with a .171 average and no extra-base hits in the last 15 games. However, his performance on Wednesday suggests that the slump is already behind him, just in time for the All-Star Game. In addition to Acuña, other Braves players stood out on offense: Drake Baldwin hit a three-run home run, Austin Riley contributed another two-run home run, and Marcell Ozuna added a solo home run. With five home runs in total, Atlanta achieved its highest number of the season in a single game.