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Atlanta raises MLB-leading first-inning long ball total to 25, and Majors lead with 146
4:40 a.m. UTC
Atlanta – Less than halfway through the season, the Braves have already set a franchise season record for most five homers. They have produced three such games this month.
One more MLB club entered Tuesday after recording three of its five games all season.
So, it was business as usual for the Braves as they hit five home runs through their first 10 appearances in a 6-2 win over the Twins on Tuesday night at Truist Park.
“I think it will show you how deep this lineup is,” said third baseman Austin Riley. “One-nine can change the game in one hit. When we hit all cylinders, it puts a lot of pressure on the pitchers.”
Acuña hit his 29th career leadoff on Ryan’s first pitch of the game, then watched Riley and Shaun Murphy hit singles on Atlanta’s first four runs. This brought the Braves’ MLB-leading first-inning home run total to 25. They also lead the way with 75 first-inning runs, 11 more than any other club.
Back-to-back homers of Michael Harris second and Acuna to start in the bottom of the second increased the Braves’ MLB-leading homer total to 146, 20 more than any other MLB team.
“I can’t explain the first thing, it’s crazy,” manager Brian Snicker said. “[Ryan] He’s a really good pitcher too. It came here hot. But I think that’s where these guys are most aggressive.”
The Braves hit 56 home runs while going 19-4 this month. That total is two shy of the one-month franchise record, which the 2019 team set in June. The franchise is only eight months old in Homer’s history. This is the second month in a row that the club this season has reached this total.
Matt Olson (eight), Eddie Rosario (eight), and Ozzie Alpes (seven) led the Braves in homers this month. None of them contributed to a total on Tuesday, adding to the franchise’s record.
The Braves have already produced seven of their five games. They have never scored more than five such games in any season during the franchise’s existence. The Giants were the only other club to go into Tuesday with three players this season.
“The lineup for us, I’m glad I don’t have to contend with that,” said pitcher Bryce Elder. “What we do every night is impressive.”
Murphy cemented his credentials with his first home run since he tweaked his right hamstring on June 18th.
As for Elder, he cemented his All-Star showing by coming off an NL-best 2.44 ERA.
But that eventful win was once again led by Acuña, who secured a spot in the NL’s starting lineup when he received more votes than any player during the first phase of the All-Star voting, which ended last week.
Acuña’s second shot off Ryan gave him a three-game homer dating back to Monday night and his first of the season.
With 19 home runs and 35 stolen bases through 79 games played, Acuña is on pace to hit 38 home runs and steal 71 bases. There have only been four 40/40 seasons in AL/NL history. He has a chance to join this exclusive club or maybe even start one of his own. No player had ever played a 30/60 season and only two had a 30/50 season.
“It’s a joy to see him come into the yard and watch him play every day, not just offensively, but defensively,” Riley said. “I think he’s great out there. You find yourself on the edge of your seat every time he’s on the plate.”