Following a similar script to last year’s World Series run, the Atlanta Braves bounced back in Game 2 of the NLDS after dropping the opener. But nobody in Atlanta wanted to go through another postseason run without superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
That was a very real concern on Wednesday night.
Facing Phillies ace Zach Wheeler in the sixth inning, Acuña took a 96 mph fastball to the right arm, which was left exposed as he loaded for a swing. Acuña was in serious pain and needed extended work from the training staff. But, astonishingly, the Braves star would remain in the game.
Acuña appears to be in serious pain after being hit by a pitch. pic.twitter.com/gLF9A6Gz4i
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 13, 2022
Acuna said after the game that he had very little feeling in his arm and was initially unable to squeeze the team trainer’s hand. That was a sure sign that Acuña needed to leave the game, but having already missed an entire postseason, Acuña was not about to miss another.
"I already missed one postseason, I'm not going to miss another one."@ronaldacunajr24 told @Ken_Rosenthal that he wasn't coming out of tonight's game after being hit by a pitch: pic.twitter.com/nvwzeqBZpR
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 13, 2022
He said via team translator Franco Garcia:
“They kept asking me to squeeze their hand. I kept letting them know that I wasn’t able to do that. And so then they said, ‘We gotta get you out of the game.’ I said, ‘Already missed one postseason. I’m not missing another one. I’m not getting out of the game.'”
The Braves seemed to rally around that moment, scoring all three of their runs in that half inning.
Baseball fans also had a ton of respect for Acuña’s toughness.
This was how Twitter reacted
That was the moment Ronald Acuña Jr. became president. https://t.co/OOsDDJZG7M
— Jeremy Timmerman (@jtimm684) October 13, 2022
Ronnie took 95+ off the elbow and stayed in the game. GOT THAT DAWG IN HIM https://t.co/O8vWx6Qu7d
— Jordan Rager (@Jordan_Rager) October 13, 2022
this is why we love Ronnie. Warrior.
If any of us common folk took 97 off the elbow we’d go to the hospital. https://t.co/XDLsSlI8V5
— dale (@bigolebarner) October 13, 2022
Ronnie needs to be protected at all costs 🙏🏼 https://t.co/I9VVoHJSrD
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) October 13, 2022
https://t.co/OVhZEQrfnW pic.twitter.com/U2josXgFjd
— Christian Flick (@cflick10) October 13, 2022
https://t.co/Stg5TXqMCt pic.twitter.com/2sKwoepLV3
— roku city planner (@AdamdotH) October 13, 2022
Anybody out there still want to question the heart and toughness of Acuña and whether or not he’s a team player? This man is hungry and wants to win more than anybody. https://t.co/Dy4XGBQKnJ
— Jake Mastroianni (@ShortStopBall) October 13, 2022
Strongest player in the mlb, I love him https://t.co/mWX8OACzeK
— AUSTIN 🍦🥂 (@mattlantamayor) October 13, 2022
https://t.co/zine0ePDTo pic.twitter.com/NMNymo2dSC
— Dyl (@404Dylann) October 13, 2022
He’ll have some time to rest that arm too as the Braves are off Thursday before Friday’s Game 3 in Philadelphia.
