Miami Marlins starter José Ureña decided to take matters into his own hands and plunked Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. with a first-pitch fastball, and it took the rookie out of the game.
Although he initially stayed in, once the adrenaline wore off, Acuña — who had belted leadoff homers in three straight games against Miami — realized he couldn’t play through the immense pain.
Right before Kevin Gausman threw his first pitch of the second inning, Acuña grabbed the attention of an umpire and jogged off the field.
“This is bad for baseball,” Braves announcer Chip Caray said as Acuña entered the dugout. And Twitter most definitely agreed.
Completely classless display by Ureña. Absolutely intentional. I don't care what frustrations you've had this season and all the losing, how about you find a way to get the guy out? Ronald Acuña hadn't done anything to warrant that.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) August 15, 2018
Bush league move by Jose Urena throwing at Ronald Acuna Jr. I don’t believe for one second that it was a mistake.
— Steve Phillips (@StevePhillipsGM) August 15, 2018
Acuna is out of the game.
Shame on you Miami. Shame. That's not a good way to play the game.
Especially you're one of the bottom dwellers. What does Miami have to gain from plunking Acuna?
None! 😡😡😡
— RyF (@Ry_Feathers) August 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/HayleyBeard/status/1029885605029785600
And now, Acuna has to take himself out of the game… No place in baseball for that.
— Brett Hansen (@bretthansen5) August 16, 2018
What happened to Ronald Acuña Jr is why baseball can be really lame. Kid is an absolute stud and he gets plunked and possibly hurt for being really, really good at baseball.
— Rosco (@OthereGoRosco) August 16, 2018
Classless display by the #Marlins and Jose Urena. It’s not Acuna Jr.’s fault you can’t get him out. And now Acuna is hurt. Urena should be suspended five times the number of games Acuna misses.
— Mike Kilroy (@MikeKilroy7) August 16, 2018
Coming from a person that has despised the Atlanta Braves for their entire life, I’m infuriated by the Marlins hitting Acuna. First pitch of the game, they hit the kid and knock him out of the game- just for being talented. Such a cowardly, classless move
— The AhaAssassin (@TMurph59) August 16, 2018
Cowardly and bush-league act from Jose Urena by hitting Acuna because nobody on his team can get the rookie out. Hopefully Acuna isn't badly hurt #MLB
— Justin Cirillo (@JustinCirillo) August 16, 2018