It was one of those nights where Marcell Ozuna looked completely locked in, dialed into every pitch, and in full control at the plate. The Braves were in the thick of a late-season push, and every game felt critical. But for Ozuna, it wasn’t just about the team’s urgency—it was about finding his own rhythm again after some inconsistent stretches earlier in the season. On this night, Ozuna reminded everyone of the dangerous hitter he could be, putting together a dominant three-hit performance that helped propel Atlanta to a much-needed win.
From the moment he stepped into the batter’s box, it was clear Ozuna was seeing the ball well. In his first at-bat, facing a crafty veteran pitcher known for his off-speed stuff, Ozuna wasted no time getting to work. The pitcher tried to start him off with a low changeup, hoping to induce a ground ball. But Ozuna wasn’t fooled. He waited back, kept his hands back just long enough, and unleashed a sharp line drive into left field for a single. It was a textbook piece of hitting—staying patient, letting the ball travel, and using his natural power to find the gap.
His second at-bat came in the third inning, with the Braves needing a spark. Ozuna came to the plate with a runner on first and the game still tied at zero. The pitcher, now a little more cautious, worked the edges of the zone, trying to avoid Ozuna’s hot bat. But Ozuna was disciplined, laying off borderline pitches and working the count in his favor. Finally, with a 2-1 count, he got a fastball over the plate and didn’t miss it. The crack of the bat echoed through the stadium as Ozuna launched a laser into right-center field, a hard-hit ball that rolled all the way to the wall. The crowd roared as the runner on first rounded third and headed for home, while Ozuna coasted into second base with a stand-up double. The Braves were on the board, and Ozuna’s clutch hit had given them the lead.
By the time Ozuna came to the plate for the third time, he was locked in a groove. The opposing team had switched pitchers, but it didn’t matter—Ozuna was locked onto everything. With two outs in the fifth inning, Ozuna again found himself in a hitter’s count, and he made the most of it. The pitcher tried to challenge him with a high fastball, but Ozuna was ready. He turned on the pitch, driving it on a line into left field for another single. It wasn’t flashy, but it was another perfect piece of hitting. Ozuna had now collected his third hit of the game, raising his average and continuing his impressive night at the plate.
By the end of the game, Ozuna’s three-hit performance had been one of the keys to the Braves’ victory. His ability to hit to all fields and deliver in critical moments proved to be the difference in a game that was otherwise tightly contested. It was a reminder of just how dangerous a hitter Ozuna can be when he’s in rhythm, and a huge boost for the Braves as they continued their push for the postseason. His bat had come alive, and it was exactly what his team needed.
