Ronald Acuña Jr. delivered a highlight-reel moment on Friday night, helping the Atlanta Braves secure a 7–3 series-opening win over the New York Yankees with a jaw-dropping defensive play.
The All-Star right fielder ended the third inning with a pinpoint throw to third base, catching Yankees baserunner Jorbit Vivas off-guard as he attempted to tag up on a deep fly ball to right field.
“He’s a weapon in right field,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “His accuracy is unreal. His arm is not only powerful but also precise. The ball just carries and his release is smooth. He’s special out there.”
Acuña made the catch just in front of the warning track, turned with his back to the infield, and unleashed a perfect throw that reached third base on the fly. Braves infielder Nacho Alvarez applied the tag just in time on a slowing Vivas, who had failed to slide despite signals from third-base coach Luis Rojas.
“I always try to anticipate the play before it happens,” Acuña explained through an interpreter. “That’s my focus — just anticipating. I wasn’t trying to do anything flashy. Thankfully, I have a strong arm.”
Alvarez used a bit of trickery to help seal the out, acting nonchalant as the throw came in, which may have misled Vivas into thinking the play wasn’t close.
“He got deked,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “That can’t happen. I used to do that all the time at third — play dead, act casual. Alvarez sold it perfectly, and Vivas read his body language wrong. It’s a tough lesson, but one that needs to be learned — especially in that kind of situation.”
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