Ronald Acuña Jr. on Braves' reaction to Jarred Kelenic mistake: ‘They would take me out'
ATLANTA — Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. called into question manager Brian Snitker's reaction, or lack thereof, to an incident in Saturday's game when Jarred Kelenic was thrown out at second base after not running hard out of the batter's box on a fly ball that Kelenic thought would be a home run.
The ball caromed off the right-field wall and Kelenic was thrown out at second base in the sixth inning of what was then a tied game. Kelenic stayed in the game and Snitker was dismissive of a question about the incident afterward, acting as if Kelenic did nothing wrong.
Advertisement
When it was mentioned on the social media platform X Sunday morning, Acuña, who is in Florida rehabbing from May 2024 knee surgery, replied in a message, 'If it were me, they would take me out of the game.'
The message was deleted before the start of Sunday afternoon's series-finale win against the Minnesota Twins.
Asked later about Acuña's comment, Snitker said all base running incidents are different but did not expound on the topic. He said he didn't watch Kelenic's play as it unfolded but once he saw video of it Sunday morning, he 'talked to (Kelenic) about it.' He also said he didn't see Acuña's message.
Ronald Acuña Jr. on X 👀 pic.twitter.com/9SprCmMhZd
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) April 20, 2025
Saturday's incident was similar to one in August 2019 when Acuña, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year at the time, was removed from a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers for not hustling on a fly ball that hit off that same brick wall, forcing Acuña to settle for a single.
Snitker removed him from that game a half-inning later and said after that game, 'He didn't run. You've got to run. It's not going to be acceptable here. As a teammate you're responsible for 24 other guys. That name on the front is a lot more important than the name on the back of that jersey. You can't do that.
'We're trying to accomplish something and do something special here, and personal things have to be put on the back burner. You just can't let your team down like that.'
(Photo of Acuña in 2024: David J. Griffin / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
33 minutes ago
- New York Post
Acuna brothers finally face each other but both weren't in starting lineup
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free ATLANTA — Ronald Acuña and his little brother Luisangel are going to wait until a game in which both are in the starting lineup for a friendly wager on the outcome. But Tuesday was significant for the brothers in that it marked the first time both were active MLB players for teams that opposed each other. Advertisement Ronald Acuña was the Braves leadoff hitter, with Luisangel on the bench for the Mets. 'I am so happy to see him in the major leagues,' Ronald Acuña told The Post before the Braves rallied to beat the Mets 5-4 in 10 innings. The elder Acuña missed most of last season rehabbing from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Advertisement That included in late September, when Luisangel was the Mets starting shortstop for two games at Truist Park. 'I have been hoping for this moment and last year he was hurt so we didn't get this opportunity,' Luisangel Acuña said through an interpreter before the series opener between the two teams. 'Now that he's finally back and I am here as well, it's a dream come true.' Ronald Acuña celebrates after the Braves' 5-4, 10-inning win over the Mets on June 17, 2025. AP The younger Acuña's playing time has mostly occurred lately as a defensive replacement — as was the case on Tuesday — and pinch runner as manager Carlos Mendoza juggles infielders. Advertisement Luisangel Acuña began the night with a .591 OPS and 11 stolen bases. 'When you play good, and you play good every day, they need to find a spot in the lineup for you,' Ronald Acuña said. 'He needs to do his job and play good baseball.' Luisangel Acuña, playing against the Diamondbacks earlier in the season, came in as a defensive replacement but did not get an at-bat in the Mets' loss to the Braves. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Advertisement Brett Baty indicated his right groin was showing improvement, after he left Sunday's game with tightness. Baty, who was absent from the starting lineup — with Ronny Mauricio at third base and Jeff McNeil at second — was set to test the groin during pregame drills. Mark Vientos was in the starting lineup for Triple-A Syracuse as the DH — his first minor league rehab appearance since he was placed on the injured list two weeks ago with a strained right hamstring. Mendoza said he wasn't surprised the Braves, who began the day 13 games behind the Mets for first place in the NL East, rearranged their starting rotation for this series. Delivering insights on all things Amazin's Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Advertisement Chris Sale and Spencer Strider are scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Thursday, respectively for the Braves. Another top pitcher, Spencer Schwellenbach, was the team's scheduled starter for the series opener on Tuesday. 'These are important games for them and important games for us,' Mendoza said. 'Every game counts so I wasn't surprised at all.'
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Mendoza Breaks Silence on Controversial Decision in Mets' Loss to Braves
Carlos Mendoza Breaks Silence on Controversial Decision in Mets' Loss to Braves originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Mets improved on Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, but it wasn't enough to win on Tuesday. They fell 5-4 to the Atlanta Braves after third baseman Austin Riley's walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, extending their losing streak to four games. Advertisement Mets southpaw David Peterson delivered a quality start, allowing three runs on five hits over seven-plus innings. The veteran pitched to two hitters in the eighth, but manager Carlos Mendoza yanked him after he allowed a walk and a single. Although New York came into that frame with a 4-1 lead, reliever Reed Garrett couldn't bail out Peterson. Not only did he allow the starter's runners to score, but he coughed up another run on designated hitter Marcell Ozuna's game-tying double. Mendoza explained his decision to allow Peterson to pitch into the eighth, via SNY. New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23)Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images "Especially with the way he was throwing the ball, he's at 82 pitches before the inning started with the nine-hole," he said. "He walked him there, you still like your chances of getting a ground ball, he was getting a lot of ground balls, and with a three-run lead." Advertisement "It just didn't happen today, we were one pitch, one strike away from getting out of it," he continued. "We just couldn't get the job done." New York is now tied with the Chicago Cubs for the NL's best record and is two games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East. Right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn will start for the club against Atlanta southpaw Chris Sale on Wednesday night. After this Braves series, the Mets will finish their road trip vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. Related: Brett Baty's Message After Absence From Mets Lineup on Tuesday Related: Mets Announce Injury News After Third Straight Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
4 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Riley's sacrifice fly in 10th inning caps Braves' comeback for 5-4 win over Mets
Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Austin Riley hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to deep center field in the 10th inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 comeback win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Marcell Ozuna tied the score with a three-run double in the eighth, and the Braves rebounded from a 10-1 loss at home Sunday to lowly Colorado. Atlanta has won four of five. New York, which leads the NL East, has dropped four in a row for the first time this season. Luke Williams, who opened the 10th on second base as the automatic runner, advanced to third on a wild pitch from Huascar Brazoban (3-2), who walked Matt Olson to load the bases. Riley's flyball allowed Williams to easily score the game-ending run. Raisel Iglesias (4-5) pitched a perfect 10th. Tyrone Taylor homered and drove in three runs, and Juan Soto also homered as the Mets built a 4-1 lead. Soto singled in the ninth off Dylan Lee but was doubled off first base after Ronald Acuña Jr. caught Pete Alonzo's drive at the right-field wall. The first pitch was delayed 56 minutes by rain. Key moment The Braves loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth with three singles off starter David Peterson and reliever Reed Garrett. Olson struck out against Garrett, and Riley hit a pop fly to shallow right field before Ozuna's double off Garrett tied the game. Key stat According to research from the Elias Sports Bureau provided by the Braves, their 71st game of the season was the latest they've played their first game against a division opponent in 25 years. During the 2000 season, they played their first game against the Montreal Expos in their 76st game. Up next Braves left-hander Chris Sale (4-4, 2.79 ERA) will face Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (0-0, 6.75) on Wednesday night. Sale had his scheduled start Sunday against Colorado pushed back so he would be available against the Mets. ___ AP MLB: recommended
