Ronald Acuna Jr. steals No. 70 as Braves steal win over Cubs

[September 28, 2023]  Ronald Acuna Jr. made more history on Wednesday and helped the Atlanta Braves secure home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs.
 
With one out in the bottom of the 10th inning, Acuna singled home the tying run, stole second and scored on Ozzie Albies' single to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 win over the visiting Chicago Cubs. 

Sep 27, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) reacts after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Acuna became the first player in major league history to have 70 stolen bases and 40 home runs in the same season. He finished the night 2-for-5 with his 69th and 70th steals. Acuna has 41 homers on the year.

The Braves (102-56) need one win to guarantee home-field advantage through the World Series. The Cubs (82-76) fell two games behind Arizona for the second NL wild-card spot, as the Diamondbacks beat the Chicago White Sox 3-0 on Wednesday.

The winning pitcher for Atlanta was Jesse Chavez (1-0), while Daniel Palencia (5-3) took the loss.

Ian Happ gave Chicago a 5-4 lead in the top of the 10th with a sacrifice fly.

Yan Gomes put the Cubs on top 4-3 in the top of the ninth with an opposite-field RBI single. However, the Braves tied the game when Marcell Ozuna hit a 3-0 pitch from Mark Leiter Jr. for a solo homer, his 37th.

Neither starting pitcher received a decision. Chicago's Jameson Taillon worked six-plus innings and allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Atlanta starter Darius Vines tossed six innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

The Braves scored a run in the first when Albies hit his 33rd homer.

The Cubs pulled even with a run in the second when Cody Bellinger scored on a ball that replays showed hit the end of Jeimer Candelario's bat but was ruled a passed ball. Atlanta manager Brian Snitker asked for a review, but it was denied and he eventually was ejected for arguing.

Chicago took a 3-1 lead in the third on solo homers from Mike Tauchman, his eighth, and Happ, his 20th.

Atlanta got a run back in the seventh. Austin Riley walked, went to third on Matt Olson's single and scored on a throwing error by second baseman Nico Hoerner.

The Braves tied the game in the eighth. Acuna singled, stole second and scored on Albies' single.

--Field Level Media

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