Cheap Shot Denies Record-Breaking Rookie Ronald Acuna Chance to Extend Streak

Miami starter Jose Urena sparked a brawl by hitting Acuna with his first pitch.

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 15: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 (R) of the Atlanta Braves reacts to being hit by the first pitch of the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 15, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 15: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 (R) of the Atlanta Braves reacts to being hit by the first pitch of the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 15, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Daniel Shirey

On Wednesday night, record-breaking rookie Ronald Acuna had a chance to extend his streak of leading off a game with a home run to four games (which hasn’t been done since 1996).

Instead, Miami Marlins starter Jose Urena denied the 20-year-old the chance by plunking him with a 97.5-MPH fastball to start the game at SunTrust Park, leading to a brawl that emptied the benches and the bullpens.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, it was the fastest pitch Urena has ever thrown to start a game.

Obviously upset after Urena’s fastball hit Acuna’s left elbow, Braves manager Brian Snitker had some words for Urena during the melee as well as after Atlanta’s  5-2 win. Both he and Urena were ejected.

“I think it’s pretty evident what I thought,” Snitker said after the game.. “That’s a shame. The young man is just playing the game, doing what he loves to do. A damn shame.”

Acuna initially stayed in the game but left in the second inning. X-rays on the elbow were negative and the results of further tests will be announced today.

“I know that wasn’t the Marlins,” said Atlanta All-Star Freddie Freeman. “That was just Jose Urena. I don’t understand it. Makes no sense. Just because a player is having fun playing the game, swinging the bat incredibly well obviously, that just makes no sense. That was incredibly classless on Jose Urena’s part.”

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