WASHINGTON -- Michael Harris II is surging. Matt Olson is providing MVP-caliber production and Bryce Elder is earning more respect every time he steps on the mound.
As the Braves have collected an MLB-best 16 wins despite an injury-depleted rotation, it’s felt like they could construct a special season if they avoid any other significant injuries. So, there was at least reason to worry when Ronald Acuña Jr. exited Monday night’s 9-4 victory over the Nationals at Nationals Park shortly after he was struck in the left hand by a pitch in the sixth inning.
But like most everything else over the season’s first few weeks, the injury update went the Braves’ way. X-rays of Acuña’s hand were negative. He is day-to-day.
Acuña was on deck when the top of the sixth ended, but he was replaced by Eli White in right field when the bottom half of the inning began. Nationals starter Jake Irvin hit the 2023 National League MVP in the left arm guard in the fourth inning and then struck his left hand during Atlanta’s five-run sixth.
Both benches were warned after Elder hit Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams in the left hip with a pitch in the bottom of the sixth. Abrams came around to score an unearned run, but the Braves had already created enough cushion to cruise toward their sixth consecutive win.
Irvin was perfect through the first three innings, but Olson got the Braves rolling with a game-tying, two-run homer in the fourth. The first baseman’s sixth homer of the season was the 13th he has hit through 30 games at Nationals Park. Giancarlo Stanton is the only other player to reach this total in 30 games or fewer at this ballpark.
The Nationals regained the lead with Daylen Lile’s leadoff homer in the fourth. But after Acuña was hit in the sixth, Drake Baldwin followed with a go-ahead two-run double. The big inning was capped by an RBI single from Harris, who is 11-for-26 with three homers over his past eight games.