Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr. said he was OK after fending off two fans, including one who knocked him over, in right field during the Braves’ 14-4 win over the Rockies on Monday night in Denver. One fan got his arms against Acuña during the middle of the seventh inning. Two security people quickly grabbed the fan and, as they tried to drag him away, a third security person approached. A second fan then sprinted toward the group, knocking down Acuña, and that fan was tackled as one of the security people chased him down. Acuña wasn’t injured and remained in the game. “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.” Acuña tied career highs with four hits and five RBIs, hitting his 29th home run and stealing two bases to increase his major league-leading total to 61. He’s one homer shy of becoming the first 30-60 player. The major league-best Braves (85-45) had 18 hits. They have won four of five and 10 of 13. The Rockies (49-82) were assured their 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.” Bryce Elder (11-4) won his third straight decision, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings.

Yankees: 3B Josh Donaldson’s unproductive two seasons with the Yankees ended Tuesday when the former AL MVP was released. The 37-year-old hit .207 with 25 HRs and 77 RBIs over two seasons since he was acquired from the Twins in March 2022. Donaldson played in just 33 games this season. The three-time All-Star was on the IL from April 5 to June 2 because of a strained right hamstring, then went back on the IL on July 16 with a strained right calf.

Blue Jays: All-Star SS Bo Bichette was put on the 10-day IL with a strained right quad. Bichette leads the Jays with a .314 batting average and 152 hits. His 18 HRs are second on the team.

Astros: Jose Altuve completed the first cycle of his career with a two-run HR in the eighth, and the Astros rolled past the host Red Sox 13-5 on Monday. Altuve struck out swinging to lead off the game, then doubled in the third, singled in the fifth and tripled in the sixth. His homer made him the first Astros player to hit for the cycle since Brandon Barnes against the Mariners on July 19, 2013.