Acuña accosted: Fans charged after rushing, hugging, and knocking down Braves star outfielder at Coors Field
Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves smiles from the dugout during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 28, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
DENVER - Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. was accosted in the outfield by two fans at Coors Field on Monday night. The two fans responsible for knocking the star down have been criminally charged.
It was in the bottom of the 7th inning, just after Acuña put himself one step closer to an MLB 30/60 season with his 60th steal. As A.J. Minter was warming up, a fan took to the field and appeared to be hugging the four-time All-Star while taking a selfie.
A security guard eventually got to Acuña and pulled him off just as a second fan sprinted onto the field and into the fray. Somehow, Acuña was knocked down in the confusions, but quickly brushed it off.
The fans had to be forcibly removed from the field with one man appearing to yell something to the 25-year-old Acuña. The Denver Police took them, as well as a juvenile, into custody.
The two adult fans have now been identified as 21-year-old Carlos Paiz and 23-year-old Jefferson Gonzales-Merida. They were both charged with trespassing and disturbing the peace. The juvenile also entered the field, but returned to the stands, so he was only cited for trespassing.
Officials so no further charges will be pursued at this time.
Acuña did not appear to be injured and remained in the game.
Atlanta had just scored four runs to take a 9-4 lead.
A fan yells to Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves after running on the field and being apprehended by security during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field on August 28, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo b
The Braves slugger would go on to add a single and a double after the incident, just two of his four hits that night.
ACUÑA FENDS OFF FANS, TIES CAREER HIGHS WITH 4 HITS AND 5 RBIS IN BRAVES’ 14-4 ROUT OF ROCKIES
The Braves would also go on to win the game 14-4.
Acuña is one home run away from making the MLB history as the first 30/60 player.