ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 25: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves walks in the third inning of game one of the MLB doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Truist Park on August 26, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Ronald Acuña was drilled by the Marlins and a fight nearly broke out.
The Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves don’t exactly get along. The two division rivals are squaring off in the NLDS and the Braves took an early lead on a Ronald Acuña home run.
Naturally, the young slugger took his time to admire the home run. This apparently did not sit well with Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, who drilled Acuña during his next at-bat.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 6, 2020
Marlins trying to send a message to Acuña
That was a 98 MPH heater straight to the side. Acuña was visibly upset and nearly got into with with Alcantara. Luckily, there was no brawl during a time when large gathering on the field are what must be avoided at all costs.
This was not the wisest move, given it was intentional, as Acuña came around to score later in the inning. The Marlins might’ve woken up a sleeping giant.
The Marlins drilling Acuña has become the norm and doing so early in a postseason game is quite the bold move. Miami is choosing to put the Braves’ leadoff hitter on base, and for what? As some sort of payback for already allowing a home run? Acuña and the Braves are the clear winner in this scenario.
The Braves took the season series 6-4 and this is becoming quite the intriguing rivalry. The Marlins are now taking on the role of spoiler as a competitive team in the postseason. They will quickly learn that the best defense against Acuña showing off is by not allowing home runs in the first place.