Ronald Acuna Jr. Hits Cleanup to Lead Braves in 6-4 Win Over Rockies

Ronald Acuna Jr. moved to the cleanup spot for the first time this season, tallying three hits and three runs in a 6-4 victory against Colorado.

Ronald Acuna Jr. recorded three hits, one walk, and three runs scored to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. Batting in the cleanup spot for the first time since August 7, 2022, Acuna raised his season batting average from .228 to .235. Michael Harris II, hitting fifth, finished the game with two hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the fifth inning. The Braves secured the win at home following a Thursday night victory where Acuna was rested.

Acuna’s offensive production began in the second inning when he drew a walk and initiated a stolen base attempt. He reached second base and subsequently scored on a double hit by Harris to the left-center gap. In the fifth inning, Acuna hit a double and crossed the plate again on Harris’s home run. This performance followed a season where Acuna had previously started 62 games as the leadoff hitter and 19 games in the second spot of the batting order.

Lineup Adjustments and Managerial Decisions

Braves manager Walt Weiss implemented the lineup change after a conversation with Acuna on Thursday. Weiss noted that the shift provided "new scenery" for the 2023 NL MVP, who had not hit cleanup in a home game since May 2, 2019, against San Diego. Before this breakout performance, Acuna had dealt with two separate stints on the injured list due to left hamstring injuries. His second recovery period lasted nearly seven weeks, resulting in a return to the active roster on July 27.

Acuna prepared for the Friday night contest by taking extra batting practice and making minor adjustments to his approach. He described the process as trying to make good contact rather than implementing a dramatic swing change. Weiss observed that the outfielder played with high energy, stating that the player's swing finally looked like his usual self during the four-run output.

Defensive Highlights and Physical Recovery

Defensively, Acuna contributed in the seventh inning by sprinting into foul territory in right field to secure a sliding catch on a pop fly hit by Cole Carrigg. According to Weiss, tracking data indicated that Acuna reached one of his highest sprint speeds since the 2020 season during that play. This mobility served as a positive indicator for the Braves training staff following his earlier hamstring issues.

Harris expressed that hitting behind Acuna is advantageous because of the outfielder's ability to score from first base on extra-base hits. The victory over Colorado follows a 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers the previous evening. Acuna mentioned that the day of rest helped clear his mind, acknowledging the inherent difficulty of the sport.

Looking Ahead to the Series

Following the three-hit performance, Weiss suggested that Acuna would likely remain in the cleanup position for the second game of the series on Saturday. The manager emphasized that the decision was based on a gut feeling that the change would benefit the slumping star. The Braves continue their home stand at Atlanta, seeking to build on the momentum of Acuna’s increased production and Harris’s multi-RBI night.