John Adams/Icon Sportswire

8hDavid Schoenfield

Ronald Acuna benching the latest twist in drama-filled NL East

The Braves star was pulled for not hustling, the Nats bounced back in a big way, and the Polar Bear growled again -- just another day in baseball's wildest division.

Acuna removed from game after watching fly ball (1:04)

Kurkjian 100 percent behind Snitker pulling Acuna (1:10)

Ortega's first career homer is a go-ahead grand slam (0:22)

Bellinger's homer just clears Acuna's reach (0:36)

14h

Acuña yanked, Ortega slam lead Braves over Dodgers 5-3

With All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. banished for his lack of hustle, Rafael Ortega stepped up with a sixth-inning grand slam to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

15h

Braves' Acuna pulled after not running out single

Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. was removed from Sunday's win against the Dodgers after he stood at the plate admiring a long fly ball that did not leave the park.

Braves use homers, better bullpen to beat Ryu, Dodgers 4-3

Josh Donaldson and Adam Duvall hit consecutive homers off Hyun-Jin Ryu in the sixth inning, the faulty Atlanta bullpen redeemed itself for a change, and the Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 on Saturday night.

Donaldson, Duvall go back to back (0:52)

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Hamstring strain sends Braves' Inciarte to IL

Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte is out for four to six weeks after straining his hamstring. He hopes to be back for the postseason.

Bellinger hits 41st homer, Dodgers beat Braves 8-3

Cody Bellinger hit his 41st home run, Max Muncy and Justin Turner connected against reliever Sean Newcomb in the seventh inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 8-3 Friday night in a matchup of NL division leaders.

Kim Klement/USA Today Sports

Braves sign Hechavarria to fill void at shortstop

With Dansby Swanson still injured, the Braves have signed Adeiny Hechavarria to fill a void at shortstop.

Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire

4 minor leaguers suspended for drug violations

The Braves' Luis Diaz, Cubs' Marcos Encarnacion, Mariners' Eliezer Mejia and Twins' Ian Krol have drawn suspensions for drug violations that will carry into next season.

BBTN: Phillies, Bullpen Struggles, Jess Mendoza

Buster and Tim Kurkjian discuss league-wide bullpen struggles, Pete Alonso's versatility and if Bryce Harper's heroics last night will launch the turning point for him and the Phillies (12:14). Then, Jessica Mendoza provides the latest on the LLWS before previewing this weekend's Williamsport Classic (25:54). Plus, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer gives some "Inside Heat" on the Phillies and Charlie Manuel's impact on the team (40:52).

Alonso ties NL rookie mark for homers with 39th

Pete Alonso drove in six runs with five hits, including a three-run homer that helped lead to Julio Teheran's shortest career start, and the New York Mets held on in the ninth inning to beat the Atlanta Braves 10-8 on Thursday night.

Fantasy Focus: Devers, Braves Bullpen, Hash Browns

Eric and Tristan preview the weekend for the pitchers, check in on the "Closer Carousel" with the Braves and discuss if Rafael Devers warrants a first-round pick in 2020.

Braves jump on Seth Lugo for 5 runs in 7th, beat Mets 6-4

Tyler Flowers drove in a tiebreaking run with an infield hit, and the Atlanta Braves scored five runs off Seth Lugo in the seventh and survived a ninth-inning scare in a 6-4 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

5dDavid Schoenfield

Has Ronald Acuna Jr. played his way into the NL MVP race?

The Yeli-Belli rivalry gets the most attention, but the Braves phenom is uncorking a huge season of his own.

Acuña homers, shines defensively, Braves beat Mets 5-3

Ronald Acuna Jr. homered and threw out a runner at the plate to back Max Fried's fifth straight win, leading the Atlanta Braves past the New York Mets 5-3 on a sweltering Tuesday night.

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Braves OF Riley won't need surgery, out 2 weeks

Austin Riley is feeling a whole lot better.

Roland Harrison/Actionplus/Icon Sportswire

7dDavid Schoenfield

Top takeaways from MLB's 2020 schedule release

Games in London, Puerto Rico and... Iowa? Next season's schedule has more than the usual collection of quirks.

ESPN.com Illustration

7dESPN.com

Power Rankings: Make way for a new No. 1

As the Mets climb back into the race, the Yankees and Astros keep finding ways to get stronger.

ESPN Illustration

7dTim Kurkjian

'Oh my God, how can we do this?': An oral history of the 1994 MLB strike

Twenty-five years ago today, all major league games were canceled. Ultimately, the World Series would be lost too. On the anniversary of that infamous morning, Tim Kurkjian shares the stories of some key figures in a conflict that nearly killed the sport.