As Michael noted earlier today in the MLBits, 20-year-old Braves phenom Ronald Acuña Jr. is one of the hottest streaks in recent memory, including three straight games with a leadoff homer in their current series with the Marlins.
He did not get a chance to make it four games in a row tonight, because Marlins righty José Ureña drilled him with the very first pitch of the game:
The first pitch of the night to Ronald Acuña Jr.
Clearly intentional. pic.twitter.com/TlDpUGOdcW
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) August 15, 2018
It wasn’t just the Braves broadcasting crew that thought the pitch was clearly intentional. After the shock of what had just happened sank in, the Braves were fired up:
Tensions flare at SunTrust Park as Ronald Acuña Jr. is hit on the elbow with a fastball from Marlins starter Jose Urena.
The benches clear as both teams meet at the mound. #Braves | #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/s1fGrMjezh
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) August 15, 2018
After discussion about what had just happened, and presumably some thought about how this must have been an intentional “message” about Acuña’s performance in the series, Ureña was booted. Get this:
The pitch that hit Ronald Acuña was 97.5 MPH.
Out of the 2,125 pitches that José Ureña has thrown this season, that's in the 99th percentile of the fastest pitches he's thrown.
That was also the fastest pitch José Ureña has ever thrown to open a game. pic.twitter.com/KYLVQvqER8
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 16, 2018
For whatever reason, the Braves’ manager was also booted for leading the charge against Ureña, even though he was clearly right.
You hope there isn’t more coming later. Acuña was eventually able to take first base, although he was clearly in pain from taking a shot off the elbow, and then later had to leave the game in the next half-inning.
There needs to be a significant suspension forthcoming for Ureña if the pitch is deemed to have been intentional (and clearly the umpires tonight believed that it was), and maybe even for manager Don Mattingly if it can (somehow) be determined it probably came from him. It’s bad enough when pitchers are out there throwing at guys because they believe they are protecting their teammates. But to do it just to send a message to a kid who is playing too well? That’s so disgustingly beyond the pale.