Ronald Acuna hits 116-mph home run

Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna hit one of his grandest homers in the team’s 9-5 win over the Phillies Tuesday night.

In the third inning, Acuna launched a 460-foot blast. It was clocked at 116 mph, the hardest-hit home run by a Braves player in the Statcast era (since 2015). His previous hardest-hit homer registered at 115.9 mph. It highlighted a stat-stuffing night for Acuna, who had three hits, three RBIs and scored two runs.

“Just the pure power of what he did,” manager Brian Snitker said. “That might be the best one I’ve ever seen, really.”

.@ronaldacunajr24 just delivered a souvenir over to the fans at the @ATLHawks game.#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/TVKwaTH6QY
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 9, 2021

Third baseman Austin Riley added: “I’ve seen him hit some balls in the minor leagues that went a really long way, but that one got out quick. ... His ability to pull his hands inside and do it with elite power is pretty special.”

The Braves enter Wednesday at 29-29. A win over the Phillies would put them over .500 for the first time this season.

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