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Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. belts longest home run of 2020 season

Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. smashed a tape-measure home run in the first inning of Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park.

Facing a 3-1 count, Acuna sent an 89-mph cutter from Red Sox starter Chris Mazza over the left-field wall to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead. The 495-foot leadoff shot measured as the longest homer in MLB this season and tied for the fifth-longest in the Statcast Era (since 2015).

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It was Acuna's 19th career leadoff home run -- the second-most in the major leagues since 2018. The 495-foot homer also was the furthest ever hit at the Braves' Truist Park, which opened in 2017.

Entering Friday's game, Acuna had a .257 batting average with 13 home runs, 28 RBIs and a .997 OPS. The 22-year-old slugger set career highs with 41 homers, 101 RBIs and 37 stolen bases last season.

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The Braves (34-23) held a five-game lead over the Miami Marlins in the NL East ahead of Friday's round of games. Atlanta has already clinched a spot in the playoffs.

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Miami Marlins players celebrate with a team photo on the mound after defeating the New York Yankees 4-3 and clinching a playoff birth in New York City on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

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