WATCH: Ronald Acuna Jr. crushes home run vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Ronald Acuna Jr. just crushed his 35th home run of the season.
The Braves have opened the offensive floodgates in the third and fourth innings, scoring three and four runs to make it 7-0 Atlanta over Pittsburgh.
Watch the home run below.
Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Friday, September 8th
Here's how the Braves will line up for the contest:
Austin Riley, who was held out of the lineup on Thursday after an overnight illness made him miss his first start of the season, will be absent from the lineup for a second straight game and utilityman Nicky Lopez will get a 2nd consecutive start in his place, batting 9th. Travis d'Arnaud is tonight's catcher, batting 6th.
Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, September 8th
Starting for the Atlanta Braves is RHP Bryce Elder. 11-4 with a 3.42 ERA on the season in his 27 starts, Elder's undoubtedly looking for revenge against the Pirates. In his August 10th start, he surrendered five runs on six hits in five innings, with five strikeouts but also two walks and a HBP. Ke'Bryan Hayes, who doubled and had three RBIs in that matchup, is one of three current Pirates to have hits off of Elder, with leftfielder Bryan Reynolds (1-2) and catcher Jason Delay (2-2) being the others.
Opposing Atlanta is Mitch Keller. 11-8 with a 3.93 ERA in 28 starts for the Pirates, Keller got a no-decision in his August 8th start after allowing three runs on nine hits in five innings, walking none and striking out four, in an eventual 8-6 Atlanta victory. Several Braves have hit him well in limited samples, and both Ronald Acuña Jr (2 HRs, 2 RBIs) and Ozzie Albies (1 HR, 2 RBIs) have taken him deep.
How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, September 8th
Tonight's first pitch from Truist Park is set for 7:20 PM ET. The game broadcast is on Bally Sports South throughout Braves Country and MLB.tv nationally. The radio call is available in the Atlanta metro area on 680 The Fan, across the Southeast on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network, and nationally on MLB.tv.
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