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.
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. He appeared to be trying to take a selfie with the player. 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. He smiled afterwards and gave a thumbs-up gesture.
“I was a little scared at first,” Acuña said after the game. “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.”
Acuña, who is a leading candidate to become the National League MVP, 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.
Atlanta’s Kevin Pillar was relieved his teammate 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 those 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.”
Colorado manager Bud Black expressed his displeasure with the incident. “That’s disappointing, for me, that it happens, especially in our ballpark, in our town,” he said. “That bothers me. It bothers me in general when I see it elsewhere, in all sports.”
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Major league-best Atlanta (85-45) had 18 hits. The Braves have won four of five and 10 of 13. Colorado (49-82) are assured of their fifth consecutive losing season.
“He’s a special, special player, a gifted young man,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Acuña. “Anything he’s going to do in this game is not going to surprise me. I just think he’s that talented.”