Acuña powers Braves past Reds 5-2 with 2 more homers as Atlanta hits 40 wins

CINCINNATI (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for a third straight game — hitting a pair of solo shots — to lead the Atlanta Braves over the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 on Saturday night.

Acuña homered to right-center field off Brady Singer (2-5) to tie it at 2 in the third inning. The 2023 NL MVP capped the scoring with a two-out shot in the ninth off Lyon Richardson. He also stole two bases to help the Braves become the first team to 40 wins.

Jorge Mateo hit his third homer — to the second deck in left field off Singer for a 3-2 lead in the fifth. Matt Olson followed with his 16th — off Brock Burke — to make it 4-2 in the seventh.

Martín Pérez (3-3) allowed two runs and four hits and walked three in five innings to earn the win. Three relievers each pitched a scoreless inning before Raisel Iglesias closed it with a perfect ninth for his 10th save.

Ozzie Albies hit a ground-rule double leading off the second before scoring on a single by Mike Yastrzemski to put Atlanta up 1-0.

Spencer Steer drew a one-out walk from Pérez to extend his on-base streak to 18 games and JJ Bleday hit his ninth home run and second in as many days to put the Reds up 2-1 after two innings.

De La Cruz answered with a one-out triple, but was stranded when Pérez retired Sal Stewart on a grounder to third before striking out Eugenio Suárez to keep it 2-2.

Singer gave up three runs and four hits and four walks in five innings. He has allowed eight home runs in his last 12 innings.

The Braves improved to 23-9 on the road — best in the majors.

Braves RHP Spencer Strider (3-0, 3.46) starts Sunday as Atlanta aims for a sweep of the Reds, who'll start LHP Nick Lodolo (1-1, 5.57).

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Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias, right, celebrates with catcher Chadwick Tromp after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. watches his solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Martin Perez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Claude Lemieux’s brain is being donated to the Boston University CTE Center to research the long-term effects of repetitive brain injuries, his family said Saturday in a statement released by daughter Claudia Lemieux Bishop.

Lemieux died of suicide at age 60 on Thursday, according to authorities, after earlier in the week serving as the Montreal Canadiens' torchbearer prior to a playoff game. He played nearly 1,500 NHL games with six teams from 1983-2009 and was known for his hard-hitting style and ability to perform in big games on the way to winning the Stanley Cup four times.

The family said it gave the CTE Center permission to publicly share any findings with Lemieux's name, adding that no conclusions should be drawn regarding any diagnosis.

“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation,” the family said, referring to Lemieux becoming an agent. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

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FILE - Former Montreal Canadiens player Claude Lemieux holds a torch as he enters the arena before Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference final Stanley Cup playoff series between the Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Players and spectators stand for a moment of silence for the late Claude Lemieux before the Everett Silvertips and Chicoutimi Sagueneens play the Memorial Cup semifinal hockey game in Kelowna, British Columbia, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

FILE - New Jersey Devils Claude Lemieux is greeted at the bench after scoring a goal in the first period of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Redwings Thursday, June 22, 1995 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun , File)