Current:Home > MyFans run onto field and make contact with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. -AssetBase
Fans run onto field and make contact with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.
View
Date:2025-04-18 17:38:36
DENVER — Ronald Acuña Jr. fended off two fans, including one who made contact with him in right field, while sparking the Atlanta Braves to a 14-4 rout of the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Acuña tied career highs with four hits and five RBIs, hitting his 29th home run and stealing two bases to increase his major league-leading total to 61. He is one homer shy of becoming the first 30/60 player.
One fan got his arms against Acuña during the middle of the seventh inning, just after Atlanta scored four runs to open a 9-4 lead. Two security people quickly grabbed the fan and, as they tried to drag him away, a third security person approached.
A second fan then sprinted toward the group, knocking down Acuña, and that fan was tackled as one of the security people chased him down.
Acuña wasn’t injured and remained in the game.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team
“I was a little scared at first,” Acuña said through an interpreter. “I think the fans were out there and asking for pictures. I really couldn’t say anything because at that point, security was already there and we were already kind of tangled up, but security was able to get there and everything’s OK. We’re all OK and I hope they’re OK.”
Teammate Kevin Pillar expressed relief Acuña wasn’t hurt.
“Thankfully, they weren’t there to do any harm, but you just never know during those situations,” said Pillar, who was among the teammates and coaches who rushed to Acuña’s defense. “They were extreme fans and wanted to get a picture, put their hands on him. But in no way is it appropriate for people to leave the stands, even more to put their hands on someone else.”
Major league-best Atlanta (85-45) had 18 hits. The Braves have won four of five and 10 of 13.
Colorado (49-82) was assured its fifth consecutive losing season.
Acuña became the fourth player 25 or more homers and 60 or more steals, joining Hall of Famers Joe Morgan (1973, ’76) and Rickey Henderson (1986, ’90) along with Eric Davis (1986).
Acuña, who leads the major leagues with 119 runs, scored on Austin Riley’s third-inning homer against Austin Gomber and hit a two-run homer in the fifth off Karl Kaufmann (1-4).
Acuña singled leading off the seventh and stole second off Evan Justice, getting a huge jump and sliding into second as Justice threw vainly to first. He scored on a single by Riley, who had three RBIs.
Acuña singled in the eighth and stole second off Tommy Doyle without a throw.
“He’s a special, special player, a gifted young man,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Anything he’s going to do in this game is not going to surprise me. I just think he’s that talented.”
Pillar put the Braves in front to stay at 5-4 with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, then robbed Nolan Jones of extra bases in the bottom half with a spectacular diving catch in left.
Sean Murphy doubled three times and drove in a run for the Braves, who have won six in a row at Coors Field.
Ryan McMahon homered for the Rockies, who fell to 0-5 this season against the Braves.
“They’ve got a good ballclub, no doubt,” McMahon said. “They’ve got some really special players over there.”
Braves All Star second baseman Ozzie Albies went 0 for 4 in his return from the injured list after missing 12 games due to a strained left hamstring.
Bryce Elder (11-4) won his third straight decision, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings.
Gomber’s velocity was down about 3 mph on all his pitchers and left with back soreness after giving up a triple to Matt Olson with two outs in the third. Gomber said he hopes to take his next turn in the rotation.
veryGood! (99)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Lack of snow forces Montana ski resort to close halfway through season
- How Egypt's military is dragging down its economy
- North Carolina man says he'll use lottery winnings to run for US Congress
- Small twin
- Engagements are set to rise in 2024, experts say. Here's what's driving people to tie the knot.
- Typo in Lyft earnings sends shares aloft nearly 70%
- Notre Dame's new spire revealed in Paris, marking a milestone in cathedral's reconstruction after fire
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Flowers, chocolates and flash mobs: Valentine’s Day celebrations around the world
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- The 'food' you see on-screen often isn't real food. Not so, in 'The Taste of Things'
- Jessica from 'Love is Blind' Season 6 dishes on her explosive last date with Jimmy
- Kanye West Slams Rumor Taylor Swift Had Him Removed From 2024 Super Bowl
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Kate Hudson says she receives 10-cent residual payments for 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'
- House Homeland chairman announces retirement a day after leading Mayorkas’ impeachment
- Phoenix attorney appointed to Arizona Legislature; will fill vacant seat through November election
Recommendation
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Beyoncé announces new album during 2024 Super Bowl after Verizon commercial hints at music drop
Army dietitian from Illinois dies in Kuwait following incident not related to combat, military says
Betting on the Super Bowl was brisk at sportsbooks in big U.S. markets
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Judge denies requests to limit evidence ahead of armorer’s trial in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting
13-year-old South Carolina girl rescued from kidnapper in Florida parking lot, police say
Jon Stewart on why he's returning to The Daily Show and what to expect