LOS ANGELES — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for the third straight evening at Dodger Stadium and Orlando Arcia hit a three-run shot within the tenth inning that despatched the streaking Atlanta Braves to a 4-2 victory over Los Angeles on Saturday.
Acuña’s 454-foot drive to heart subject got here off his bat like a rocket at an astounding 121.2 mph – the hardest-hit ball within the majors this 12 months.
“I never imagined that was going to be the exit velocity on it,” Acuña stated by way of a translator. “But yeah, I hit it hard.”
Bryce Elder pitched six efficient innings and the Braves (90-45) received their sixth consecutive recreation, turning into the primary main league membership to achieve 90 wins this season.
Atlanta will attempt for a four-game sweep Sunday on this much-anticipated matchup between the highest two groups within the National League.
Married north of Los Angeles earlier than Thursday’s recreation, Acuña as soon as once more outshined Dodgers star Mookie Betts of their chase for NL MVP.
With one out within the third inning, Acuña launched a jaw-dropping drive that gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead. It was the thirty second homer this 12 months and third of the sequence (together with a grand slam) for Acuña, the primary participant in massive league historical past with 30 dwelling runs and 60 stolen bases in a season.
It was additionally the third-hardest-hit homer and sixth-hardest-hit ball within the majors since Statcast started monitoring in 2015.
His teammates joked with him within the dugout about his energy.
“They asked if that was all I had, and I said, ‘I think so,’” Acuña stated.
Los Angeles tied it 1-all within the backside half when Austin Barnes doubled on his bobblehead evening and scored on Will Smith’s double-play grounder.
That’s the way it stayed till the tenth, when Sean Murphy drew a two-out stroll from Alex Vesia (0-5) to place two runners on. Arcia drove the following pitch to left-center to provide Atlanta a 4-1 lead.
“I feel I always go out here and every at-bat, focus. And in those situations, do everything I can to help the team win,” Arcia stated by way of a translator.
When requested what he considered Acuña’s homer, no translation was wanted.
“Unbelievable,” Arcia stated.
Raisel Iglesias allowed Max Muncy’s sacrifice fly within the backside half earlier than ending for his twenty eighth save. Michael Tonkin (6-2) labored a hitless inning for the win.
“You can’t take too much out of it,” Muncy stated. “If we face them in the postseason it’s going to be completely different games. I think we’ve proven that in the past several times against teams we’ve played. It’s an exciting series right now. I know it’s a lot of fun for people to watch it, but at the end of the day, it’s not going to be the same if it’s in the playoffs.”
Betts went 0 for 4 with a stroll and scored as soon as. He struck out thrice, together with with the bases loaded within the fourth when he went down wanting.
Los Angeles starter Emmet Sheehan permitted one run in 4 innings.
Elder labored round 4 walks and struck out 4 for the Braves, who’ve received 20 of 25 general. The NL East leaders have a seven-game lead over the NL West-leading Dodgers (83-52) for the most effective report within the National League.
“I thought my stuff was better than it had been the past couple weeks,” Elder stated. “Got a little wild a bit but was able to work out of some stuff. Few walks there I’d like to limit. But I gave us a chance. That’s all I’m trying to do.”
90 and thriving
The Braves have received a minimum of 90 video games in 4 of the previous 5 full seasons, not counting the 60-game common season shortened by the pandemic in 2020.
“It’s how we continue to play really good baseball all year,” supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “It’s been a solid year. Our mission is not over. I’m proud of the guys for how they play every day and how they prepare and the consistency in their work and the energy and everything they do. Haven’t accomplished anything yet.”
Trainer’s room
Dodgers: DH J.D. Martinez (left groin tightness) took batting apply. He will head to Arizona for a day of labor, then will be a part of Triple-A Oklahoma City in Texas on a rehab task. He’s anticipated to return to the Dodgers subsequent weekend in Washington. … RHP Michael Grove (proper lat tightness) will go to Triple-A Oklahoma City after which be a part of the Dodgers subsequent weekend as nicely. … RHP Joe Kelly (proper forearm irritation) is anticipated to go on a rehab task quickly earlier than rejoining the Dodgers.
Up subsequent
Braves: RHP Charlie Morton (14-10, 3.29 ERA) received 4 of his 5 begins in August with a 1.91 ERA throughout that span. He allowed only one earned run in a six-inning win towards Colorado on Tuesday.
Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller (8-3, 4.00) has allowed 4 earned runs in back-to-back begins. The rookie had given up a mixed two earned runs in his earlier three begins over 15 2/3 innings.
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