PAReading: 3 min.
3 on 2: Ronald Acuna and Domingo German shine for Latinos
Enrique Rojas and David Wen selected the Atlanta Braves outfielder for his outstanding hitting and the Yankees pitcher for becoming only the third Latino player in history with a perfect game.
CLEVELAND — No one has had quite the first half of the season Ronald Acuna Jr
The four-time All-Star outfielder made history Monday night by becoming the first player to hit 20 home runs, steal 40 bases and drive in 50 runs before the All-Star break.
“A special player,” Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said after Atlanta extended its hitting streak to nine and moved 30 games over .500 with a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians.
Acuna Jr., 25, is the third player to hit 20 home runs and steal 40 bases in his first 84 games, joining Rickey Henderson (1990) and Eric Davis (1986).
Prior to the game, Acuna Jr. was named the National League Player of the Month for June, the second time this season he has received that recognition.
In the third inning, the Venezuelan extended his hitting streak to 14 games before stealing his 40th base, the most he’s managed in a season. In 2019, 37 were stolen.
Acuna Jr. injured his right shoulder while making a head-first tackle. He lay there for a few moments before being helped to his feet and checked by a Braves trainer. He stayed in the game and hit a single minutes later.
Acuna Jr. was “a little shaken up” but fine, Snitker said.
It seems that there is nothing that fast bowler Acuna Jr. cannot do.
“If you go out and have a drink or go to the bathroom, you’re missing something you’ve never seen before,” Snitker said. “I’m glad he’s on our team and I get to see him every day.”
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