Brian Snitker removed Ronald Acuña Jr. from Sunday’s game during the fourth inning after the outfielder failed to run out of the box on a ball that hit high off the right centerfield wall. Acuña ended up having to settle for a single, was later thrown out trying to steal second and the Braves failed to score in the inning.
Atlanta would eventually rally for a 5-3 win behind a grand slam from Rafael Ortega and another strong performance from the bullpen.
Snitker was asked about the decision to remove Acuña following the game and simply answered that not running was not going to be acceptable and that the team is trying to do something special. He did add that the incident was over and that Acuña took the decision well.
#Braves' Brian Snitker on his decision to pull Ronald Acuña Jr. from the game after not running out of the box on his third-inning hit. pic.twitter.com/cS9fB94oq0
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) August 18, 2019
Acuña also met with reporters after the game and acknowledged his mistake simply saying that he was the player and the Snitker is the manager and that he respects his decisions.
"There's no excuse for it. I just kind of took it and said 'Of course.' He's the player, I'm the manager and I'll respect his decisions."
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) August 18, 2019
-- Ronald Acuña Jr. on being pulled from the game in the fourth inning. pic.twitter.com/8dY4izizxs
Thankfully, the Braves came from behind and won what was a huge series against the Dodgers. It sounds like it was a teaching point for a young player and it is over and that everyone involved can move forward.