Ronald Acuña Jr. Makes History with 40-70 Club
In the highly anticipated clash between the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves, all eyes were on Ronald Acuña Jr. The young phenom did not disappoint, etching his name into baseball’s history books by joining the exclusive 40-70 club. This extraordinary achievement marked a historic milestone in Acuña’s remarkable season, where he has already become the first player to achieve both 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a single campaign.
Braves Secure Home-Field Advantage in NL Playoffs
The Atlanta Braves showcased their dominance on the field by clinching home-field advantage throughout the National League (NL) playoffs. In a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Cubs that extended to extra innings, the Braves displayed their mettle. Ozzie Albies emerged as the hero with a walk-off single in the 10th inning, not only sealing the Braves’ victory but also solidifying their position as the team to beat in the NL playoffs.
Cubs and Miami Tied for NL’s Third Wild Card
In a dramatic turn of events, the Chicago Cubs’ playoff aspirations faced a significant setback as they found themselves in a dead heat with the Miami Marlins for the NL’s third and final wild card spot. Both teams presently hold identical records of 82-76, setting the stage for a high-stakes, down-to-the-wire race to secure a coveted postseason berth.
Braves Overcome Deficits to Secure Victory
The Braves’ triumphant victory was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. They demonstrated exceptional resilience, overcoming multiple deficits during the game. With the Cubs leading at various points with scores of 3-1, 4-3, and 5-4, the Braves displayed their unwavering determination. Marcell Ozuna played a pivotal role by launching a game-tying homer in the ninth inning. This set the stage for the heroics of Acuña and Albies in the 10th inning, leaving the Cubs and their fans in disbelief.
Pitching Performances and Managerial Controversy
The pitching duel added an extra layer of intrigue to this electrifying matchup. Jameson Taillon took the mound for the Cubs, delivering a masterful performance. He allowed a mere three hits over six-plus innings and impressively retired 17 of 18 hitters at one point. On the Braves’ side, Darius Vines made just his second big league start, going six solid innings while surrendering four hits and two earned runs.
However, the game wasn’t without its controversies. In the second inning, Braves manager Brian Snitker found himself ejected from the game. This followed a contentious checked swing call by the umpires that allowed the Cubs to tie the game at 1-1. Although replays clearly showed that Jeimer Candelario’s bat had fouled the ball off, the umpires failed to detect the contact, and the play was not subject to video review. The situation escalated as catcher Sean Murphy reached back to umpire Shane Livensparger for another baseball, while the ball that Candelario had struck rolled to the backstop. This allowed Cody Bellinger to trot home from third, ultimately ruled as a passed ball.
