Braves Extend Winning Streak, Grant Holmes Notches Ninth Victory as Acuña Moves to Cleanup

On August 28, 2026, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Colorado Rockies 6–4 at Truist Park, marking the Braves’ fifth consecutive win. Right-hander Grant Holmes (9-5) earned the win, allowing three runs on eight singles over five innings. The Braves’ offense was sparked by Ronald Acuña Jr., who batted cleanup for the first time this season and produced three hits, a walk, and three runs. Michael Harris II added three RBIs on two hits, including a two-run homer. Reliever Raisel Iglesias closed the game for his 29th save.

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The lineup shift placed Acuña in the cleanup spot after a recent slump; he entered the game with a .228 batting average. Manager Walt Weiss said a “good talk” on Thursday preceded the change, describing the move as “new scenery” for the player. This was Acuña’s first cleanup appearance since a game at the New York Yankees and the first in a home game since May 2, 2019 against San Diego. The Braves also announced that right-handers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep would undergo season-ending elbow surgeries, underscoring the importance of depth in the rotation.

ESPN

• Grant Holmes: 9-5 record; 3.71 ERA; 1.34 WHIP; 128.2 innings pitched; 24 of his last 26 outings allowed three earned runs or fewer.

CBS Sports

• Ronald Acuña Jr.: 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 runs; .228 average entering the game; two prior IL stints this season for left-hamstring injuries, returning on July 27 after a seven-week absence.

ESPN

• Michael Harris II: 2 hits, 3 RBIs, including a two-run homer; contributed a run-scoring double in the fifth.

Newsday

• Tomoyuki Sugano (Rockies): 12-8 record; gave up six runs on 10 hits in 4 + innings; left after allowing a two-run homer to Harris.

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• Raisel Iglesias: recorded his 29th save.

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• Upcoming matchups: Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner (5-8, 6.08 ERA) vs. Braves left-hander Martín Pérez (8-8, 3.12 ERA) on Saturday; Braves slated to face the Philadelphia Phillies on the road next weekend.

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Manager Walt Weiss explained the cleanup decision, noting that Acuña “had a good talk” and that the change offered “new scenery” for him. The organization confirmed the season-ending surgeries for Schwellenbach and Waldrep, emphasizing the team’s confidence in its remaining staff.

ESPN

• “I just like the look of him in that cleanup spot,” — Walt Weiss, braves manager

ESPN

• “Having him on base, he's fun to hit behind because there's always a chance he can score from first,” — Michael Harris

ESPN

• “A day off sometimes can help you,” — Ronald Acuna

ESPN

• “I'm trying to make good contact,” — Ronald Acuna

ESPN

• “I just found out that's one of his best sprint speeds since 2020, which is really good, really good news,” — Walt Weiss, braves manager

ESPN

• “I don't know what it was, it just felt right to put Ronald in the cleanup spot,” — Walt Weiss, braves manager

ESPN

The Braves will travel to Philadelphia for a series beginning next weekend, while the Rockies will start Saturday with Ryan Feltner on the mound against Martín Pérez.

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