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LOS ANGELES — Ronald Acuna Jr. homered for the 3rd evening in a row at Dodger Stadium, and Orlando Arcia hit a three-run shot within the tenth inning to provide the Atlanta Braves a 4-2 win over LA on Saturday.

Acuña’s 454-foot power to middle box rocketed off his bat at an astonishing 121.2 mph—the toughest hit ball within the bigs this yr.

“I by no means concept it could have that exhaust speed,” Acuña mentioned via an interpreter. “However yeah, I get on well exhausting.”

Bryce Elder pitched six efficient innings because the Braves (90–45) gained their 6th consecutive recreation, changing into the primary primary league membership to achieve 90 wins this season.

Atlanta will glance to win recreation 4 on Sunday on this extremely expected matchup between the highest two groups within the Nationwide League.

Married north of Los Angeles sooner than Thursday’s recreation, Acuna as soon as once more pipped Dodgers celebrity Mookie Betts within the race for NL MVP.

With one out within the 3rd inning, Acuña introduced a scoreless power that gave Atlanta a 1–0 lead. It used to be the thirty second homer of the yr and the 3rd of the collection (together with the grand slam) for Acuña, the primary participant in primary league historical past with 30 house runs and 60 stolen bases in a season.

It used to be additionally the 3rd toughest hit homer within the majors and the 6th toughest hit ball since Statcast started monitoring in 2015.

Acuña’s teammates joked about his energy within the dugout.

“He requested if that used to be all I had, and I mentioned, ‘I feel so,'” Acuna mentioned.

Los Angeles tied the rating at 1-all within the backside of the 3rd when Austin Barnes doubled on his bobblehead evening and scored on Will Smith’s double-play grounder.

That remained the case till the tenth, when Shaun Murphy gave up a two-out stroll to Alex Vescia (0-5) to advance two runners. Arcadia coated the following pitch to left-center to provide Atlanta a 4–1 lead.

“I feel I all the time move out right here and concentrate on each and every at-bat. And in the ones eventualities, do the whole thing I will be able to to lend a hand the workforce win,” Arcia mentioned via an interpreter.

When requested what he considered Acuña’s Homer, no translation used to be wanted.

“Incredible,” mentioned Arcia.

Max Muncie’s sacrifice fly flew into the ground part sooner than Raisel Iglesias finished his twenty eighth save. Michael Tonkin (6-2) pitched a hitless inning for the win.

Muncy mentioned, “You’ll be able to’t take an excessive amount of of it.” “If we are facing them within the postseason, it is going to be an absolutely other recreation. I feel we have now confirmed that in opposition to the groups we have now performed in opposition to again and again previously. It is a thrilling collection at the moment. I do know It is a large number of a laugh for other people to observe, however on the finish of the day, if it is within the playoffs, it is by no means going to be the similar.”

Bates went 0-for-4 with a stroll and scored as soon as. He struck out thrice, together with one with the bases loaded within the fourth when he went to appear down.

Los Angeles starter Emmett Sheehan allowed one run in 4 innings.

Elder just about labored 4 walks and scored 4 runs for the Braves, who’ve gained 20 of 25 general. The NL East leaders have a seven-game lead over the NL West-leading Dodgers (83–52) for the most efficient report within the league.

“I felt like my stuff used to be higher than it’s been the previous few weeks,” Elder mentioned. “Were given just a little wild however used to be in a position to paintings some issues out. I wish to prohibit some walks there. However I gave us a possibility. That is what I am looking to do.”

The Braves have gained no less than 90 video games in 4 of the remaining 5 complete seasons, apart from for a shortened 60-game common season in 2020 because of the pandemic.

“That is how we stay enjoying actually excellent baseball throughout the year,” Atlanta supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “It is been a cast yr. Our challenge isn’t over. I am pleased with the ones guys for a way they play each day and the way they get ready and their paintings and effort and consistency in the whole thing they do. Have not accomplished anything else but.”