Rookie Ronald Acuna hit a long, bases-empty home run to straightaway center field with two out in the eighth inning Tuesday, giving the Braves a 2-1 lead against the Cubs in a series opener at SunTrust Park.
The 20-year-old outfield phenom was greeted by teammates and celebrated for a few moments with several of them, but the good vibe was short-lived: closer Arodys Vizcaino gave up two runs in the ninth for a 3-2 loss.
Here’s what Acuna, who has struggled recently, said after the game through translator Franco Garcia.
On his fourth homer in 19 major league games, which gave the Braves a lead:
“I went up to the plate just trying to have a good at-bat. Thankfully I was able to hit a home run.”
Can a hit like that in that situation maybe get you going again?
“It helps. A hit like that, especially a home run, helps return your confidence. So hopefully this will kind of help me get things going and get things turned around.”
On whether that’s a moment he’ll remember a long time
“This moment will stick with me, but at the end of the day it’s not what we wanted, we didn’t win the game. So really, when you think about it, the home run didn’t mean anything.”
On whether pitchers are pitching him differently the past couple of weeks
“They’ve adapted to me the same way I’ve adapted to them. Baseball is a game of highs and lows, good and bad, so that’s just kind of the way it goes.”
On celebrating with teammates after the homer in the dugout
“It was an emotional moment more than anything, because it helped us take the lead. It’s not just about when I hit a home run -- it can be (Nick) Markakis, it can be Free (Freddie Freeman), it can be anyone on the team. If they hit a home run in that situation that gives us a lead, it’s an emotional moment and I think we all kind of take joy and pleasure and celebrate it.”
