Ronald Acuna Jr. left the Braves’ home game in the sixth inning after Nationals starter Jake Irvin hit him with a pitch for the second time. The first fastball, a 92 mph heater, struck him leadoff of the fourth while Atlanta trailed 2‑0. A 91 mph pitch in the sixth hit Acuna’s left hand, prompting an audible cry of pain on the field.

Braves medical staff performed X‑rays that came back clean, and Acuna was classified as day‑to‑day. He remained in the on‑deck circle when the sixth ended but did not return for the bottom half, forcing manager Brian Snitker to insert rookie Eli White in right field. The incident prompted umpires to issue warnings to both dugouts after Bryce Elder surrendered a solo homer to Daylen Lile.

Atlanta rallied after the warning, scoring eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings to turn a 3‑2 deficit into a 9-4 victory. The win kept the Braves within striking distance of the NL East lead despite losing a key leadoff bat. Acuna’s injury will test the club’s depth as the postseason race tightens for the Braves.