Acuña Jr. Reaches 1,000 Hits in Braves' 5-4 Comeback Win Over Phillies

Ronald Acuña Jr. launched a 100.5 mph fastball for a tying three-run home run as the Braves rallied to beat the Phillies 5-4.

The Atlanta Braves secured a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, utilizing a late-inning surge to expand their National League East lead to five games. Ronald Acuña Jr. provided the pivotal moment in the top of the eighth inning, driving a 100.5 mph fastball from reliever Alex McFarlane into the right-field seats. This three-run blast, Acuña’s 16th home run of the season, tied the contest at 4-4. Following the hit, Acuña emerged from the dugout at Citizens Bank Park for a curtain call with his right arm raised, acknowledging a crowd that had showered him with boos during his trip around the bases.

This home run marked Acuña’s 1,000th career hit, placing him in elite franchise history. He joined Hank Aaron as the only two players to ever suit up for the Braves and record at least 1,000 hits, 200 home runs, and 200 stolen bases. Regarding the hostile reception from the Philadelphia fans, Acuña noted to reporters that he finds motivation in the boos he receives while playing in the city.

Late Inning Rally and Pitching Performance

The Braves finalized their comeback in the ninth inning against Phillies closer Jhoan Duran, who fell to a 2-5 record on the season. Ozzie Albies initiated the rally by legging out a double, setting the stage for Austin Riley. Riley subsequently drove a triple off the center-field wall to score Albies and give Atlanta the decisive 5-4 lead. This offensive burst erased a strong performance by Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola, who surrendered only one run on four hits across seven innings of work. Nola has now completed eight consecutive starts while allowing three runs or fewer, marking his most consistent stretch of pitching since the 2019 season.

Philadelphia Offensive Highlights

Prior to the Braves' late rally, the Phillies built their lead through significant power hitting in the seventh inning. Kyle Schwarber connected for his MLB-leading 42nd home run of the year to bolster the Philadelphia score. Pinch-hitter Derek Hill followed suit in the same frame, launching a solo shot that represented his 10th home run of the season. Despite these two long balls, the Phillies were unable to maintain their advantage through the final two innings of play.

NL East Standings Impact

With this result, Atlanta moves five games ahead of Philadelphia in the divisional race. The Braves managed to overcome the four runs allowed to the Phillies' lineup by capitalizing on two hits against Duran in the final frame. The game concluded with the Braves totaling five runs to the Phillies' four, despite Philadelphia's starter holding Atlanta to a single run through the first seven innings of the contest. The victory was finalized on Sunday, September 6, 2026, as the Braves continue their push toward a National League East title.