Ronald Acuña Jr. put on a show in his return to the Atlanta Braves lineup, homering for the second straight game. He helped lead the Braves to a 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres.
This win felt especially good for the Braves, who finally broke a seven-game losing streak against the Padres. That skid dated back to last season’s National League playoffs.
Matt Olson and pitcher Grant Holmes also stood out, while the Padres just couldn’t get much going.
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Remarkable Comeback
After nearly a year away because of a knee injury, Ronald Acuña Jr. is back and making noise. The 27-year-old outfielder missed 161 games with a torn ACL, but you wouldn’t know it from how he’s playing now.
On Friday, Acuña homered on the first pitch he saw in his season debut. Then on Saturday, he crushed a 411-foot, two-run homer to left in the sixth, finishing 1 for 5.
He’s now 3 for 9 in his first two games back. It really looks like he’s picking up right where he left off.
Impact on the Braves’ Lineup
Acuña’s return gives the Braves’ lineup a huge lift. His presence adds depth and power, which showed up in the win.
The Braves have struggled with consistency lately, and Acuña might be the spark they need. With his ability to hit home runs and get on base, he’s a real dual threat—pitchers won’t enjoy facing him.
Matt Olson Continues to Shine
While Acuña’s comeback grabs headlines, Matt Olson keeps putting together a strong season. Olson hit his fifth homer in seven games on Saturday, quietly establishing himself as one of the Braves’ most reliable bats.
His performance has been crucial, especially with the team’s ups and downs lately.
Olson’s Offensive Contributions
Olson’s power and consistency make him invaluable. In a year full of challenges, his steady bat has been a real bright spot.
His home run on Saturday gave the Braves some breathing room. That shot let them play with more confidence the rest of the way.
Grant Holmes’ Stellar Pitching
On the mound, Grant Holmes delivered a gem. The 29-year-old righty allowed just one run in seven innings, marking his fifth quality start in 10 tries this season.
Holmes scattered six hits, walked one, and struck out six. He looked in control almost the whole way.
Holmes’ Season So Far
Holmes has become a reliable part of the Braves’ rotation. His ability to pitch deep and keep runs off the board has been huge for a team that’s needed stability.
Saturday’s outing showed off his skill and determination. The Braves needed that.
Padres’ Struggles Continue
For the Padres, it was another tough night in a season full of them. Starter Michael King got scratched less than an hour before first pitch with shoulder stiffness, forcing an unexpected bullpen game.
Sean Reynolds had to step in, but he struggled, giving up three runs on six hits in just 2 2/3 innings.
Manny Machado’s Efforts
Even with the loss, Manny Machado kept doing his thing. He went 2 for 2 with an RBI and two walks, right after his game-winning homer on Friday.
Still, his big night couldn’t overcome the Braves’ offense.
Rookie Drake Baldwin Shines
Rookie Drake Baldwin has been another bright spot for Atlanta. Baldwin is hitting .488 in May, with three home runs and nine RBIs.
On Saturday, he went 3 for 4 with a walk, just continuing his hot streak.
Baldwin’s Impact
Baldwin’s emergence has really helped the Braves’ lineup. His knack for getting on base and driving in runs has been huge, especially this month.
Saturday’s game was just another example of his promise. The kid can play.
Looking Ahead
The Braves will try to keep this momentum rolling into the finale of the three-game series against the Padres. Spencer Schwellenbach (3-3, 3.52 ERA) gets the ball for Atlanta, while Padres righty Dylan Cease (1-3, 4.50 ERA) will start for San Diego.
Feels like a big game for both teams. Who knows—maybe we’ll see some more fireworks.
Key Takeaways
- Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return has given the Braves’ lineup a real jolt.
- Matt Olson just keeps showing up as a steady force at the plate.
- Grant Holmes put together an impressive outing on the mound.
- The Padres’ struggles drag on, even with Manny Machado doing his thing.
- Drake Baldwin looks like a rookie worth keeping an eye on for the Braves.
If you want a deeper dive into the game and how everyone played, check out the full article on the AJC Sports website.
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