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Atlanta Braves' Acuña nailed by ball, Snitker storms field: 'He's my kid; I'm gonna protect him'

Fans and rivals alike have come out in support of Acuña after the 97 mph fastball that nailed him - and Manager Brian Snitker for leading the charge on the field afterward.
Credit: Brock, Savannah
Manager Brian Snitker of the Braves argues with the umpires after Ronald Acuna Jr. #13was hit by a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 15, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

Fans and rivals alike are calling out Marlins' pitcher Jose Urena for taking record-bound Braves Ronald Acuña out of the game with a 97 mph fastball to the elbow.

Acuña was more than ready to set a major-league record by hitting a leadoff home run for the fourth consecutive inning. Braves fans, Braves players - and even those who don't follow the team - were more than a little ticked off.

And leading the charge onto the field, Wednesday, was none other than Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker as the Braves emptied the bench to confront the now-vilified Miami pitcher. Snitker was one of the first on the field and was backed by his team before Urena was ejected - but so was Snitker.

No rule - written or unwritten - excuses Jose Ureña's 'purpose' pitch to Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr.

It's pretty clear on Twitter, though, that the Braves weren't upset with their manager, sharing a post with a quote from him that night: "He's my kid. I'm gonna protect him."

The rest of Twitter doesn't appear to blame him either.

So far, the news is good for Acuña with X-rays coming back negative according to USA TODAY. And there may be some hope for him breaking that record.

"Per MLB's Rule 9.23, @ronaldacunajr24's home run streak will still be active when he plays his next game," the Braves said in a Tweet not long after the dust-up.

As for the game itself, the Braves were definitely fired up. They clobbered the Marlins 5-2.

Homer-happy Ronald Acuna Jr. makes MLB history in Atlanta Braves' win

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