Ronald Acuna played a significant role in the Braves winning the first game with their uber prospect on the 25-man roster.
Down a run in the eighth, Acuna singled on a 1-2 pitch. He advanced to third on Dansby Swanson’s ensuing single.
“It’s a dream come true,” Acuna said through an interpreter. “I just thank God for this opportunity to be able to be here, to have my first hit, to have my first big-league game. It’s incredible.”
Acuna’s speed and aggressive baserunning, a theme of the 2018 Braves, allowed him to score the game’s tying run on Kurt Suzuki’s RBI-single. Johan Camargo gave the Braves the lead for good with an RBI in the ninth and they won 5-4 over the Reds in Cincinnati.
“Nothing seemed to affect him,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said about Acuna. “He wasn’t overwhelmed by anything. He just went out and played his game. Was on the attack there. Hit a couple balls good. Got his first hit. I thought it was fine. That’s the impression I got of him, because people ask me where – (starting at) home or away – I don’t think that stuff’s going to bother him.”
Acuna produced two loud outs on one pitch each in his first two at-bats. A little more carry and either one could’ve left the park.
Acuna struck out twice, but said he wasn’t going for a home run in any of his at-bats. His first hit came off a 94.7 mph four-seamer from Kevin Shackelford.
His strikeouts came on six pitches and three pitches. He saw 15 pitches in five at-bats.
“Everything’s just happened really fast,” he said. “I’m very excited, very emotional. Like I’ve said before, it’s a dream come true.”
Acuna said he felt at home from the moment he stepped on the field. Having friends such as Ozzie Albies and Camargo, two teammates he bonded with in the minors, made him more comfortable and provided extra motivation.
He laughed off a question about what he’d do with the baseball that found the hole for his first hit. He’ll save it, “because that’s what everybody else does.”
When Acuna got his first hit, he pointed to the sky. He knew it was a feeling he’d only experience once. And he took a moment to appreciate it.
“I don’t know how to describe it,” he said. “It’s something incredible that happens with any rookie going through that.”
