Atlanta Braves: Tensions Continue as Braves Beat Marlins

The Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 in what was an impressive night for Freddie Freeman and Dallas Keuchel. Despite the fact, the Marlins appeared to continue to target Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Atlanta Braves once again beat the hapless Miami Marlins 5-1 on Tuesday night. Despite the win, the Braves have plenty of reason to be upset with the results. The first pitch of the bottom half of the 1st inning once again hit Ronald Acuna Jr.

As Braves fans will well remember this isn’t the first time Acuna has been hit by the first pitch in a game against the Marlins. While Miami may attempt to argue it was a terrible coincidence it appears to be anything but.

For a pitcher who showed control for the remainder of the outing, it is hard to believe he simply buried a pitch in Acuna’s side by accident. Pitching inside the first pitch of the game instead of going away or over the plate makes it even less plausible.

Continuing to target Acuna is absolutely bush league for a team who is yet to grasp the concept of a rebuild. Since trading away their young stars Miami has been stuck in misery opting to focus on targeting players they cannot beat instead of attempting to win a baseball game. A feat they are very unlikely to accomplish considering their 45-79 record heading into tonight’s game.

After Acuna was hit it was once again manager Brian Snitker leading the charge for Atlanta before he was ultimately tossed from the game.  Warnings were issued to both sides though they seemed to be simply arbitrary considering another Braves batter was hit later in the game to no consequence.

While many might expect Atlanta to engage in a beanball war with Miami it hardly seems worth the effort considering they lack a star player for Atlanta to target. Instead, Atlanta should focus on winning and continue to be above the odd fascination Miami seems to have with targeting their young star.

It will be fascinating to watch how Atlanta chooses to respond with two more games left in the series. Veteran Julio Teheran will take the mound tonight as the Braves go for another series win.