Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuna Jr. targeted once again

Let’s go back to April 11. Phillies reliever Sam Coonrod was in the game to preserve a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh. The Atlanta Braves had Ronald Acuna Jr. at the plate to lead off the inning. Four pitches later, the lead was gone as Acuna took a 1-2 breaking pitch to center for a game tying homer.

Fast forward to Saturday. Coonrod was facing Acuna once again with the Braves’ star being hit by the second pitch he threw. The pitch chart of that at bat looks suspicious.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. gets targeted again

Fortunately for the Braves, Acuna just has a bruised finger as x-rays were negative. He is considered day-to-day at this point, and may get Sunday off just to allow him a day to heal and rest up. There is no reason for concern.

At least, there is no reason for concern for Acuna’s immediate health. There may be a reason for concern in regards to facing the Phillies, as it is hard to claim his being hit was not intentional. Yes, he did start to swing at the second pitch, but that may have been more of a reflexive action due to the ball traveling towards him.

This is also not the first time this has happened to Acuna. Back in 2018, Jose Urena drilled the Braves’ outfielder with a pitch following a homer. It took until 2019, but the Braves were able to get even when Kevin Gausman fired a pitch behind the then-Marlins pitcher.

The Braves are likely to get Acuna’s back once again. It will not be easy to target Coonrod specifically as he is a reliever, but the message will get across. Maybe Alec Bohm or Bryce Harper will find a pitch between the shoulder blades, a message that hitting Acuna is not acceptable and never has been. The game polices itself and this will be another one of those situations.

Ronald Acuna Jr. was targeted again after hitting a homer. The Atlanta Braves will, once again, have to send a message that this must end.