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LEADING OFF: Acuna provides instant pop, Darvish gets closer

Marlins Braves Baseabll Marlins Braves Baseabll Pirates Rockies Baseball Mets Marlins Baseball LEADING OFF: Acuna provides instant pop, Darvish gets closer by By The Associated Press , Associated …

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LEADING OFF: Acuna provides instant pop, Darvish gets closer

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Marlins Braves Baseabll
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) follows through on a lead-off home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Marlins Braves Baseabll
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer puts on his cap after losing his balance while trying to field a single hit up the box by Colorado Rockies' DJ LeMahieu in the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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New York Mets' Zack Wheeler delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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LEADING OFF: Acuna provides instant pop, Darvish gets closer

by By The Associated Press , Associated Press - 14 August 2018 22:58-04:00
A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:

ACUNA AGAIN!

Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. has homered five games in a row — at 20, he's the youngest major leaguer to do that. He's also hit leadoff home runs in three straight, connecting the last two days on the first pitch Miami threw.

Acuna later added his 19th homer with a three-run drive in the seventh inning Tuesday night.

Brady Anderson was last player with so much leadoff success, homering four straight times to start games for Baltimore in 1996.

Acuna has matched the Atlanta record for consecutive games with a home run set by Brian McCann in 2006. Acuna will try to keep the streaks going when the Braves face Jose Urena and the Marlins at SunTrust Park.

GETTING CLOSE

The Cubs will check on Yu Darvish and if he's OK, the right-hander could go on a minor league rehab assignment. Darvish threw about 55 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday.

Sidelined because of triceps and elbow injuries, Darvish has not pitched since he won at Cincinnati on May 20. He is 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight starts after signing a $126 million, six-year deal with Chicago in February.

MAYBE

Second baseman Ian Kinsler could return from a strained left hamstring when the Red Sox play at Philadelphia. The 36-year-old was sent from the Angels to Boston late last month before the trade deadline. In three games for his new team, the four-time All-Star went 4 for 10, scored three runs, stole two bases and made a couple of sharp plays in the field.

SHORT STARTS

Chris Archer starts for the third time since being traded from Tampa Bay to Pittsburgh. The two-time All-Star hasn't gone more than five innings so far for the Pirates, and will try to add a little length when he pitches at Minnesota.

STREAKING

Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler (7-6, 3.82 ERA) tries to win his sixth straight start when he pitches at Camden Yards. He held the Orioles scoreless over seven innings June 6, but did not get a decision.

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Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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