Fans who made contact with Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. charged with trespassing, disturbing peace

DENVER -- — Two fans who ran onto the field and made contact with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. during Monday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies are facing charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace.

The misdemeanor charges against the fans, 21- and 23-year-old Denver residents, were outlined in arrest affidavits released by the Denver Police Department on Tuesday. The men were ordered to appear in court Sept. 27.

Acuña said he was OK after fending off the fans, including one who knocked him over, during the middle of the seventh inning at Coors Field in a 14-4 victory. He was not injured and remained in the game.

One fan got his arms around Acuña in right field before security personnel quickly grabbed the man. A second fan then sprinted toward the group, knocking down Acuña, and that fan was tackled as a member of the security staff chased him down.

“I was a little scared at first,” Acuña said through an interpreter. “I think the fans were out there and asking for pictures. I really couldn’t say anything because at that point, security was already there and we were already kind of tangled up, but security was able to get there and everything’s OK. We’re all OK and I hope they’re OK.”

Teammate Kevin Pillar expressed relief Acuña wasn’t hurt.

“Thankfully, they weren’t there to do any harm, but you just never know during those situations,” said Pillar, who was among the teammates and coaches who rushed to Acuña’s defense. “They were extreme fans and wanted to get a picture, put their hands on him. But in no way is it appropriate for people to leave the stands, even more to put their hands on someone else.”

The arrest affidavits did not say why the fans ran onto the field.

Acuña tied career highs with four hits and five RBI, hitting his 29th home run and stealing two bases to increase his major league-leading total to 61. He is one homer shy of becoming the first 30/60 player.

Acuña tied career highs with four hits and five RBI, hitting his 29th home run and stealing two bases to increase his major league-leading total to 61. He is one homer shy of becoming the first 30/60 player.

Major league-best Atlanta (85-45) had 18 hits. The Braves have won four of five and 10 of 13. Colorado (49-82) was assured its fifth consecutive losing season.

Acuña became the fourth player with 25 or more homers and 60 or more steals, joining Hall of Famers Joe Morgan (1973, ’76) and Rickey Henderson (1986, ’90), along with Eric Davis (1986).

“He’s a special, special player, a gifted young man,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Anything he’s going to do in this game is not going to surprise me. I just think he’s that talented.”

Acuña, who leads the major leagues with 119 runs, scored on Austin Riley's third-inning homer against Austin Gomber and hit a two-run homer in the fifth off Karl Kaufmann (1-4).

Acuña singled leading off the seventh and stole second off Evan Justice, getting a huge jump and sliding into second as Justice threw vainly to first. He scored on a single by Riley, who had three RBI.

Acuña singled in the eighth and stole second off Tommy Doyle without a throw.

Pillar put the Braves in front to stay at 5-4 with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, then robbed Nolan Jones of extra bases in the bottom half with a spectacular diving catch in left.

Sean Murphy doubled three times and drove in a run for the Braves, who have won six in a row at Coors Field.

Ryan McMahon homered for the Rockies, who fell to 0-5 this season against the Braves.

“They’ve got a good ballclub, no doubt,” McMahon said. “They’ve got some really special players over there.”

Braves All Star second baseman Ozzie Albies went 0 for 4 in his return from the injured list after missing 12 games due to a strained left hamstring.

Bryce Elder (11-4) won his third straight decision, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: RHP Darius Vines was recalled from Gwinnett. Lefty Jared Shuster was optioned to the Triple-A team along with infielder Vaughn Grissom, who had started a handful of games at second in Albies’ absence.

Rockies: 2B Brendan Rodgers was a late scratch from the lineup because of illness. … INF-OF Kris Bryant was scheduled to have an X-ray of his fractured left index finger to determine if it has healed to the point where he can intensify his rehab efforts in hopes of returning this season. He has been sidelined since July 22. … RHP Ryan Feltner was set to take the next step in his recovery from a fractured skull and concussion. Feltner, who was injured May 13 when he was struck in the head by a comebacker, was headed to the High-A Spokane Indians. He’s scheduled to make a pitching appearance Wednesday, his first in a game since the injury.

UP NEXT

Atlanta RHP Charlie Morton (13-10, 3.37 ERA) is slated to start Tuesday night against RHP Peter Lambert (3-4, 4.92 ERA).

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