Atlanta Braves News: Marcell Ozuna smashed his 36th homer of the season in the first inning of tonight’s game against the Angels. Griffin Canning allowed a leadoff double to Michael Harris II followed by a sharp single by Austin Riley.

Marcell Ozuna cleaned up the mess by blasting a three-run homer to get the Braves off to a great start.

Marcell Ozuna blasts a three-run shot off Griffin Canning before the Braves have even made an out in this game. This goes down as a hit with runners in scoring position, and it was massive.

Chris Sale gets at least a three-run lead when he goes to the mound. pic.twitter.com/H2XPy4nFkq

— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 18, 2024

Marcell Ozuna 2023 Triple Crown Race

Ozuna’s last homer came on August 10th against the Rockies. At the time, Ozuna’s 35th homer tied him with Shohei Ohtani for the NL lead. Tonight, his 36th homer of the year puts him two behind Ohtani.

Of course, we are tracking Ohtani and Ozuna as the Big Bear attempts to become the first Atlanta Brave to ever win a triple crown.

After his first-inning homer, Ozuna’s average improved to .304, just four points behind Luis Arraez for the NL lead.

Ozuna’s 93 RBI are good for first place in the NL and have him six ahead of Shohei Ohtani.

No National League player has won the Triple Crown since Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1937.

The last player to win the Triple Crown was Detroit Tigers’ star Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

The Braves enter tonight 4-6 in their last 10 and 8.5 games back of the Phillies in the NL East. Each game is crucial the rest of the way.

Atlanta needs Ozuna and company to stay hot to have a chance at yanking the division out from under the Phillies.