Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. arrived in the big leagues this season with lofty expectations.
Though he got off to a hot start, an injury at the end of May - lasting most of June - derailed his momentum. But not for long. Acuna, who led the Braves to a 10-6 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, collected three hits with two more home runs (19).
Now with eight home runs in his last eight games, Acuna has joined the party as a true MLB star. His leadoff home run matched the Braves' franchise record of five straight games with a homer. He is also the youngest to clobber a home run in five straight games.
This was the 15th time this season the Braves scored in double figures, which is tied for the most in the majors (Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs). The Braves only had 13 such games last season.
DINGERS. ONLY. pic.twitter.com/SmG9wtpwdh
— MLB (@MLB) August 15, 2018
Atlanta (67-51) has now won four straight games, thanks in large part to Acuna's hot streak. The Braves hold a two-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.
BRAUN MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun connected on two home runs with four RBIs in a 7-0 win over the Cubs. Due to injuries, Braun's career has stalled in recent seasons, but his batting average is up to .255 with 14 home runs this season.
PHILLIES' ORDER GOES SOUR
The top of Phillies' order, Cesar Hernandez, Nick Williams and Asdrubal Cabrera, combined to go 0 for 12 with seven strikeouts (they all had at least two) in a 2-1 loss to the Red Sox. Rhys Hoskins hit a home run for Philadelphia, but the rest of the lineup was helpless against Boston.
HAMILTON GRABS THE SPOTLIGHT
Billy Hamilton made a spectacular catch for the Reds at home to Cleveland, launching himself into the air and then depositing the ball safely in the keeping of a group of supporters in the bleachers.
Special delivery from Billy. pic.twitter.com/tPyGD0KBYr
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 15, 2018
TUESDAY'S RESULTS
Tampa Bay Rays 1-4 New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox 2-1 Philadelphia Phillies
Milwaukee Brewers 7-0 Chicago Cubs
New York Mets 3-6 Baltimore Orioles
Cleveland Indians 8-1 Cincinnati Reds
Chicago White Sox 6-3 Detroit Tigers
Miami Marlins 6-10 Atlanta Braves
Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 Texas Rangers
Pittsburgh Pirates 2-5 Minnesota Twins
Colorado Rockies 5-1 Houston Astros
Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 Kansas City Royals
Washington Nationals 4-6 St. Louis Cardinals
Seattle Mariners 2-3 Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Angels 7-3 San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants 2-1 Los Angeles Dodgers
ROCKIES AT ASTROS
Colorado, trying to lock up a wild-card spot in the NL, will send Tyler Anderson (6-4, 3.94 ERA) to the mound to face Gerrit Cole (10-5, 2.75 ERA). The Astros have been struggling with injuries, which has helped the Oakland Athletics get back into contention in the AL West.