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Andruw Jones, who won 10 Gold Gloves in a career that began with 12 seasons in Atlanta, became the 11th Braves player or manager to have his number retired on Saturday night. The honor could add momentum to Jones' case for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Jones' No. 25 was retired before Atlanta's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and some believe the distinction was overdue.
Michael Soroka's third promotion to Atlanta this season in his comeback from two Achilles tendon injuries has led to more health concerns for the right-hander. Tyler O'Neill and Nolan Gorman hit two-run homers to spoil Soroka's return to Atlanta and the St. Louis Cardinals held on to beat the Braves 10-6 on Tuesday night. Braves manager Brian Snitker said Soroka (2-2) is headed to the injured list after experiencing numbers in his fingers.
Nobody has had a first half of the season like Ronald Acuña Jr. Atlanta's four-time All-Star outfielder made history Monday night by becoming the first player to reach 20 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 50 RBIs before the All-Star break. “Special player,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after Atlanta extended its winning streak to nine straight and moved 30 games over .500 by beating the Cleveland Guardians 4-2.
Bryce Elder has posted better pitching lines this season. Orlando Arcia drove in the go-ahead run in Atlanta's four-run sixth, Elder overcame his worst inning of the season and the Braves beat New York 6-4 on Tuesday night. Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso hit two-run homers in the third, but Elder (4-0) followed that up with three scoreless innings.
Given a seven-run lead in the first inning, Atlanta right-hander Spencer Strider could relax and keep adding to his majors leading strikeout total. “That game felt like it was over pretty quick,” Strider said. Ronald Acuña Jr. drove in three runs with four hits, including a two-run single in Atlanta's seven-run first inning, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-4 on Sunday night to split the four-game series.