Surprise: Ronald Acuna Jr. makes history again, Braves clinch #1 seed

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MLB: SEP 27 Cubs at Braves

Last night, the Braves came from six runs down to beat the Cubs 7-6. It was the largest deficit the Braves had erased all season, and it was a crushing blow to the Cubs playoff hopes.

The Braves didn’t fall six runs behind on Wednesday night, but the dramatics were all the same. Ozzie Albies got the party started in the first inning with a solo shot.

There are only four games left, but if Albies can smack two more homers, the Braves will have five players with 35+ home runs this season. They already hold the record with four, but we’ll get back to Albies in a minute. His impact on this game is far from over.

The Cubs would then tie the game on perhaps the worst call I’ve ever seen in my life, which led to Brian Snitker getting ejected.

I don’t know what’s worse: the fact that four major-league umpires couldn’t get together and realize this was a foul ball, or the fact that this play isn’t reviewable. Major League Baseball needs to make sure this never happens again, as it almost cost the Braves the game.

Chicago would then take the lead after a couple of solo shots in the following inning. That’s where the game would stay for a while, until Marcell Ozuna grounded into a fielder’s choice in the seventh that brought home the Braves second run of the game. Don’t forget his name as well; his job isn’t done quite yet in this game either.

The Braves would go on to tie the game in the 8th. Ronald Acuna Jr. started the rally with a single before stealing his 69th base of the season. Ozzie Albies would then drive him in with a single through the hole on the right side.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t stay that way for long. Kirby Yates got himself into some self-induced trouble with a hit-by-pitch and a walk, and Yan Gomes gave the Cubs the lead again with a one-out single. However, Chicago couldn’t add on any further, and the Braves weren’t finished.

With one out and nobody on, the Big Bear stepped up to the plate and blasted his 37th home run of the season, forcing extra innings.

The home run not only allowed the Braves a chance to win, but it also presented the opportunity for Ronald Acuna Jr. to make history, and he didn’t disappoint.

The Cubs were able to get their runner in from second in the top half of the inning but couldn’t do any further damage, and in the top half of the 10th, Ronald Acuna Jr. stepped up to the plate, tying the game with a line drive into right field. At that point, the entire world knew what was coming next, and history was made.

What an absolute moment, as Acuna capped off one of the best seasons in MLB history. 40/70 is a mark nobody has even come close to reaching in the past, and I’m not sure anyone in the future will be able to challenge it… besides Acuna himself of course.

However, the job wasn’t quite finished. Remember when I said don’t forget about Ozzie Albies? Well, he came through again with a walk-off single on the following pitch.

The Braves once again stunned the Cubs, and in the process, they also clinched the #1 seed in the National League. A perfect ending to one of the best seasons in franchise history.

 

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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

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