‘A Roberto Clemente throw:’ Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. Has Incredible Web Gem

Ronald Acuña Jr. had himself a stellar night against the New York Yankees, capped off by one of the best defensive gems of the season – if not the best.

It happened when New York Yankees baserunner Jorbit Vivas was trying to tag up from second base from Cody Bellinger’s deep flyball in the corner in right in the third inning.

But Acuña was positioned perfectly with a flat-footed throw for the ages to third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr. that surprised Vivas – as well as everyone at Truist Park – to complete the spectacular sequence.

“That was like a Roberto Clemente throw,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said about the highlight-reel throw, referencing the Pirates legend for his incredible arm.

Braves’ Ronald Acuña makes incredible throw to tag out Yankees’ runner at third base.

“His accuracy is stupid,” Snitker added. “He’s a weapon in right field. His arm is so strong and accurate, and the ball carries, release is good. He’s special out there.”

It was the best moment of the Braves’ win over the Yankees 7-3 on Friday night as both teams resumed action after the All-Star break.

“I just always try to anticipate those plays,” Acuña said through a translator after the game. “I was just trying to kind of get ready and thankfully I have a good arm.”

Alvarez was casual as Acuña’s throw approached in an attempt to fool Vivas, who would likely have been safe if he had run hard all the way and slid. At 301 feet — with no bounces — it is the longest outfield assist this season and the first throw of 300-plus feet with no bounces since Mookie Betts‘ 302-foot throw to keep Ketel Marte from stretching a double into a triple on July 31, 2020.

“[Vivas] got deked,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “That just can’t happen. I did that all my career at third base, just kind of play dumb, play dead. And that’s what [Vivas] read. The body language of Alvarez there, just deked him. He knew it was a deep fly ball, so it caught up to him. …

Spencer Strider (4-7) threw six shutout innings, striking out eight and allowing three hits and three walks. Acuña was 2 for 3 with a double and a triple. The six shutout innings for Strider marked the second time he accomplished that line this season, matching an outing on June 14 against Colorado.

Ian Hamilton (1-1) took the loss after leading off a bullpen game for the Yankees by surrendering three runs in the first inning. Rico Garcia, making his debut with the Yankees, gave up Albies’ three-run homer in the third.

New York star Aaron Judge was 1 for 4 with three strikeouts three days after playing in his seventh All-Star Game in the same park.

Giancarlo Stanton had a pinch-hit two-run double for the Yankees in the seventh inning.

Also Friday, Yankees right-hander Luis Gil made his second rehab start for Double-A Somerset, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing two hits and two runs. He’s recovering from a strained right lat from spring training.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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