The Braves were already behind the 8-ball after falling in Game 1 of the NLDS to the Phillies. For a moment, it appeared that Atlanta would have to try to even the series in Game 2 without its best player.
Ronald Acuna Jr. took a Zack Wheeler fastball to the right elbow with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday night. He appeared to be in great discomfort; he jogged toward the Braves’ dugout before team personnel came out to examine him.
Acuna eventually made the trek to first base and later came around to score the game’s first run on Matt Olson’s RBI single.
Braves with 3 runs with 2 outs
Zack Wheeler hits Ronald Acuña Junior and then Rhys Hoskins misplays a ball… And it’s 3-0
pic.twitter.com/MXhGoL30HD— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 13, 2022
As Acuna rounded the bases, he appeared to be favoring his right arm.
The @Braves break through in the 6th. #Postseason
(MLB x @loanDepot) pic.twitter.com/D3qx8Lr7s0
— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2022
At the start of the seventh inning, Acuna made the trip to his usual post in right field. He got out of the inning without having to make a play. And things went off without a hitch after that as Atlanta evened the series with a 3-0 victory.
MORE: MLB playoff schedule 2022
When asked about his decision to stay in the game, Acuna was fairly open with his thought process. He referred indirectly to the ACL tear that kept him inactive for the Braves’ run to a World Series title last year.
“I already missed one postseason, I’m not going to miss another one.”@ronaldacunajr24 explained why he continued to play in tonight’s game after being hit by a pitch.
🎥: @MLBONFOXpic.twitter.com/1NOoYiggi6
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) October 13, 2022
Ronald Acuña on the HBP: “To be honest, I was hurting pretty bad, but there was no way I was going to get out of that game.”
How does it feel now?
“We won, everything feels good,” he said.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) October 13, 2022
“I already missed one postseason, I’m not going to miss another one,” he said through an interpreter.
After the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker detailed the process for Acuna to return to the outfield for the seventh.
“I’ve been to Philly when it’s crazy. When I was the third-base coach, every game we played there was nuts. And these guys are used to it.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker reacts to his team’s NLDS Game 2 win and looks ahead as the series shifts north. pic.twitter.com/Ahb8Pv08Je
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) October 13, 2022
“Best thing that happened was he scored,” Snitker said. “When we had a little time to get him downstairs and check him out and he was throwing into the cage. I think the longer he was there, the more he was getting feeling back.”
By the end of the sixth, Acuna’s elbow was in good enough shape for him to take the field.
MORE: TSN’s baseball experts pick winners for every postseason series
“I’m sure it’s going to be sore,” Snitker added. “It’s probably good that we have a day off (Thursday), we can treat him up. But the good news is there wasn’t anything structural or anything like that upon our examination.”
Indeed, it was announced that X-rays showed no structural damage to the elbow.
Acuna’s grit seemed to ignite Atlanta’s bats and helped the Braves break out of the stupor they were in while facing Wheeler. According to Snitker, that’s just the type of effect Acuna has on the team, especially in big moments.
“He’s just kind of that electric guy that has that penchant for igniting things, especially in this time of the year when he gets on,” Snitker said. “It’s pretty good to get those guys coming in behind him.”
Hits: 0
