Acuña Jr. Powers Braves to 5-2 Victory Over Reds, Reaching Milestone Win

CINCINNATI (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. showcased his power once again, smashing two solo home runs to propel the Atlanta Braves to a 5-2 victory against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night. This win marked the Braves' 40th of the season, making them the first team to reach this milestone in 2023.

Acuña's first home run came in the third inning off Brady Singer (2-5), tying the game at 2-2. He later sealed the game with another two-out shot in the ninth against Lyon Richardson. In addition to his impressive hitting, Acuña also stole two bases, further contributing to the Braves' success.

The Braves initially took the lead when Ozzie Albies hit a ground-rule double and scored on Mike Yastrzemski's single. However, the Reds surged ahead in the second inning with a two-run shot from JJ Bleday, marking his ninth home run of the season.

Jorge Mateo's home run in the fifth gave Atlanta a pivotal 3-2 lead, followed by Matt Olson's 16th homer in the seventh to extend the lead to 4-2. Martín Pérez (3-3) earned the win, allowing two runs and four hits over five innings. The Braves’ bullpen held strong, with three relievers each delivering a scoreless inning, culminating in Raisel Iglesias’ perfect ninth for his 10th save.

With this victory, the Braves continue to establish themselves as a dominant force in Major League Baseball this season.