Ronald Acuña Jr. starred but the Braves fell to the Marlins 5-3 on June 22, 2025. Can Acuña's historic pace carry an inconsistent Atlanta offense in the NL East?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of those frustrating days for Braves Country. Despite another multi-hit game from the phenomenal Ronald Acuña Jr., the Atlanta Braves couldn't muster enough offense to overcome the Miami Marlins, falling 5-3 at loanDepot park. The loss stings, especially in a tight NL East race, leaving fans to wonder what it will take for the rest of the lineup to match the historic pace set by their superstar.
Ronald Acuña Jr. continues his torrid pace, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored... His season average now sits at .396, leading the majors.
The box score tells a familiar story of missed opportunities. Bryce Elder took the mound and battled, giving the Braves 5.1 innings but ultimately surrendering four runs (three earned). He kept Atlanta in the game, but the offense just couldn't break through. They scratched across a run in the 6th on an Alex Verdugo RBI groundout to cut the lead to 4-3, creating a glimmer of hope. However, the bats went quiet from there, managing only seven hits on the day. The bullpen duo of Dylan Dodd and A.J. Cox did their job, allowing just one run over the final 2.2 innings, but the late-game magic the Braves are known for just wasn't there on Sunday.
While the team result was disappointing, Ronald Acuña Jr. remains a must-watch spectacle every single time he steps to the plate. Going 2-for-4 and scoring two of the team's three runs, he was once again the primary offensive catalyst. His batting average has now climbed to an almost unbelievable .396. We are witnessing a historic season unfold, as Acuña is not just the best player on the Braves, but arguably the best player in all of baseball right now. The only downside is that his heroics alone weren't enough to secure the win.
Beyond Acuña, the brightest offensive spark came from an unsurprising source these days: rookie catcher Drake Baldwin. Contributing both an RBI and a run scored, Baldwin continues to prove he belongs. Hitting a solid .293 on the season, he's become one of the most impactful rookies in the league, providing stability and production from a demanding position. With no major trades on the horizon, the emergence of homegrown talent like Baldwin is absolutely critical for the Braves' success down the stretch.
Speaking of homegrown talent, the future continues to look bright in the Braves' minor league system. While the big-league club battles in the East, outfielders Owen Carey and Isaiah Drake are making names for themselves in Low-A. Reports praise Carey's elite bat-to-ball skills and Drake's exciting combination of improved contact and game-changing speed. It's a reminder that the pipeline that produced stars like Acuña and rookies like Baldwin is still flowing with talent.
The flight home from Miami is likely a quiet one. Losing a series you feel you should have won is never easy, especially as the standings tighten. The Braves have the talent, led by an MVP candidate chasing history. The challenge now is consistency. The team needs to capitalize on these stellar performances from Acuña and Baldwin and find ways to win these tight 5-3 games. It's time for the rest of the lineup to catch fire as they head into their next series, because a one-man show can only carry you so far.
