MLB Review: Ronald Acuña Jr. outfielder announces his leaving after match due to
On Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) reacts to striking out against Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee. The Guardians emerged victorious with a 4-2 win in a tightly contested game, characterized by a pitcher’s duel between Charlie Morton and Tanner Bibee. This showdown, which extended to 11 innings, resulted in the Braves and the Guardians splitting the first two games of the series, featuring two of MLB’s top-performing teams based on records.
In the eighth inning, both teams managed to score two runs, breaking the scoreless deadlock that persisted through the initial seven innings. Cleveland capitalized on soft hits and favorable circumstances against Braves pitcher Joe Jimenez, with exit velocities of 25.4, 27.8, and 31.1 mph on the Guardians’ hits off Jimenez. Their first run came when Jose Ramirez narrowly avoided a double play, and the second followed a successful double steal, with Steven Kwan stealing home.
Braves manager Brian Snitker acknowledged Jimenez’s tough luck, stating, “He had two mishit balls and a well-placed bunt. They just kind of hit them where we weren’t. That’s the way it goes.”
The Braves countered with their own two runs in the eighth inning, courtesy of doubles from designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and catcher Travis d’Arnaud, along with a bloop single to center from outfielder Jarred Kelenic. However, they squandered several opportunities throughout the game.
Kelenic’s timely single allowed outfielder Michael Harris II to score the tying run in the eighth inning. However, a decision to send speedster Luke Williams home alongside Harris resulted in Williams being thrown out at the plate. Despite the promising situation, the Braves failed to capitalize further, with Ronald Acuña grounding out and leaving Kelenic stranded at second base.
In the subsequent innings, the Braves missed crucial chances to score, including a 383-foot flyout from third baseman Austin Riley in the ninth and a bases-loaded situation in the tenth, where they failed to convert with none out.
Manager Snitker expressed frustration at the missed opportunity in the tenth inning, lamenting, “We loaded the bases with nobody out, I was kind of mad, about lost my shirt on that one because I figured we’d score a run there.” Despite their typical proficiency with runners in scoring position, evidenced by a team batting average of .311 in that stat prior to the game, trailing only the Brewers (.328).
Morton delivered a stellar performance, pitching seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, striking out six, and walking one. This outing marked his best of the season, showcasing his prowess even at 40 years old, surpassing Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who is 39. He faced off against Bibee, who also threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while striking out nine.
In his last two starts, Morton has conceded only two earned runs on eight hits over 13 innings, consistently pitching deep into games, logging at least 5-2/3 innings in every outing this season.
Credit is due to Cleveland, whose Guardians (19-8) boast the best record in MLB, attributed to their strong pitching and consistent execution in the finer aspects of the game. The Braves have commended Cleveland’s performance, with Morton particularly impressed.
