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Atlanta Braves Superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to the lineup for the first time after torn the ACL last season in a 2-1 defeat to the San Diego Padres at Trust Park on Friday night.
Acuna, 27, looked like he hadn’t skipped the beat. On the first pitch he saw from San Diego Padres’ starter Nick Pivetta, the 2023 NL MVP destroyed 467 feet for a towering solo home run.
Acuna said He “feeled” that he might do something special on his way home.
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Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Aucna Junior celebrates with a dugout on Friday, May 23, 2025 after hitting a home run in Atlanta in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres. (AP Photo/Collin Hubbard)
“For me, it’s just the culmination of all the work I’ve put in,” he said.
Unfortunately for the Braves, Ackna’s solo home run was the only run scored as Pibetta closed the Braves’ offense.
Pibetta pitched six innings, scattered four hits and hit seven Braves batters.
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Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Aucna Junior hit a home run in Atlanta on Friday, May 23, 2025 in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres. (AP Photo/Collin Hubbard)
Padres’ three base hand Manny Machado He defeated a 1-1 tie in the ninth innings and a solo home run from Raisel Iglesias did not give up a 2-1 lead to the Padres.
The losses have reduced the Braves to 24-26 and are still about to rebound after a 0-7 start. The team hopes that Acuna’s return will help them return to postseason competition.
“He’s one of those players that you shouldn’t go and get a beer. You might miss something really cool,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
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Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Aucna Junior will respond on Friday, May 23, 2025 after hitting a home run in the first innings of a baseball game in the San Diego Padres and Atlanta. (AP Photo/Collin Hubbard)
“I mean, I think he’s that type of power in the game. He’s getting everyone better. I want to cheer up the fans. I’ll cheer up his teammates.”
“It’s huge,” said Austin Riley, a 3-base player, about Acuna’s return. “He’s talented. The energy he brings has Ronald at the top of the lineup. …He can always change the game.”
With the Braves Padres On Saturday at 4:10pm ET, we will play the second game in the 3-Game Series.
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