Wednesday’s game drew Braves’ highest TV rating in five-plus years

Many of them may have tuned in because of rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna’s home-run streak, but Acuna’s exit from the game after he was hit by the Marlins’ first pitch of the night didn’t cause a drop-off in viewership. In fact, the audience peaked at a season-high 7.29 rating (179,000 households) from 9:45-10 p.m.

Much of the audience also stuck around for the postgame show, during which Braves manager Brian Snitker discussed Marlins pitcher Jose Urena hitting Acuna with a 97-mph fastball. The postgame show delivered a 4.86 rating, by far its highest this year.

For the season, Braves games on Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast are averaging a 3.19 rating, up 55 percent from the same point last season.