Four-time MLB All-Star Ronald Acuna Jr. inched closer to making MLB history, starring for the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, September 19, after hitting two homers in their 9-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
This helped the Braves snap their four-game losing skid. More importantly, the 25-year-old outfielder placed himself one longball shy of becoming the only 40-60 player in AL/NL history, the Associated Press reported.
"I just thank God I've been able to stay healthy," Acuña Jr. said through a translator. "I feel like if I am healthy I am able to do the things I've done."
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So far, no player in MLB history has had 40 homers and 60 steals in a single season.
"He's just putting together a special, special year," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Acuna started when he homered off Christopher Sanchez's first pitch. He followed this up with a four-run fifth against Michael Lorenzen, per MLB.com.
The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year notched his 67th stolen base during that inning and then tallied his 39th homer and 100th RBI in the sixth.
It will be recalled that the Venezuelan baseball star already made history when he became the first player to score 30 home runs and steal 60 bases in one season earlier this month against the Los Angeles Dodgers, CNN reported.
Acuna can accomplish that 40-60 feat as early as Wednesday when the Braves close their series with the Phillies. If not, the 25-year-old can achieve that in the Braves remaining games against the Washington Nationals, The Athletic reported.
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