Ronald Acuña Jr. led off Sunday's game with a home run on the first pitch he faced. Aaron Doster / Getty ImagesMay 31, 2026 3:26 pm EDT Updated CINCINNATI — Ronald Acuña Jr. can impact the game the moment he sees a first pitch, as the Cincinnati Reds learned on Sunday at Great American Ballpark.Acuña smoked the first offering from Reds starter Nick Lodolo and sent it 438 feet to left field for his 39th career leadoff homer. The Braves superstar outfielder has homered in four consecutive appearances, including a two-homer outing during Saturday’s 5-2 Braves win.Sunday’s crack of the bat was loud — the ball left with a 112 mph exit velocity — but the reaction from Braves fans in Cincinnati made it feel like it was hit at Truist Park.
Ronald Acuña Jr. CRUSHES the first pitch he sees 😤
He has now homered in FOUR straight games! pic.twitter.com/gb8JCNgJE4
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2026For a team that has relied on its role players filling in for injured regulars, Acuña’s outing is a reminder of the power the Braves have. Simply having him in the lineup is one thing; getting this kind of production is another.In 42 games through May 27, Acuña had two home runs, 12 RBIs and eight stolen bases. He spent two weeks on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, and in the four games since, he has five homers, eight RBIs and four steals.The production is even more important when considering that Drake Baldwin, who is on the IL with a right oblique strain, made a flawless translation to the top of the Braves’ batting order during Acuña’s absence.Atlanta hasn’t been at full health all season, and Acuña wasn’t playing at the level he’s known for until this recent stretch. If he can sustain anything close to this form, and the Braves can have a healthy lineup, the future looks bright for the first club to 40 wins.
