CHICAGO -- There won’t be any on-field brotherly moments shared by White Sox shortstop Luisangel Acuña and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. on Wednesday night at Rate Field, as Ronald was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring.
But they certainly made some great family memories during Tuesday’s series opener -- won by the White Sox, 6-5, in 10 innings, on rookie Braden Montgomery’s walk-off opposite-field home run off closer Raisel Iglesias. In the second Major League game where these two have faced each other, the Acuña brothers exchanged the pregame lineup cards at home plate.
“Every time we are out there on the field, it’s a dream come true for us,” said Luisangel through interpreter Billy Russo. “When we are stretching and we are talking, when we were at home plate, exchanging lineups, it’s a dream come true.
“We come from a town where there is nothing there. … Where we come from, that town, the only thing you can do is play baseball. That’s all it has there, a baseball field. So just being here and just realizing our dream, it’s exciting. … Even before I checked the schedule, I just was imagining this moment playing against him.”
The final out of the top of the second inning Tuesday was brought to you by Luisangel and Ronald Jr.: Erick Fedde hit Ronald with a pitch with two outs, and he promptly tried to swipe second base.
Catcher Drew Romo made a strong throw, and it was the White Sox shortstop who applied the tag to end the frame. Atlanta challenged the call but it stood after replay. During that break in the action, Luisangel and Ronald were part of a group talking and joking near second base.
“He said that I was tricking him because I didn’t tag him,” Luisangel said. “But I did.”
Family and friends at home in Venezuela are able to watch the Acuña brothers. When asked which brother was the most talented, Luisangel smiled and deferred to Ronald Jr. and his MVP-caliber level of play.
When asked about the possibility of the brothers facing off in the World Series, with even the possibility standing five months away, Luisangel responded in Spanish with “Ojala! Ojala!”
“I hope so,” Luisangel said.
For the record, Ronald leads the brother stealing competition by a 15-11 margin this season. Luisangel is starting at shortstop with Colson Montgomery sidelined by lower body tightness.