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Acuña on fastball hit: 'It felt like the pitch was intentional at the time'

"It felt like the pitch was intentional at the time," he said. "But to me, Baseball is a man's game. It's over now."
Credit: Dale Zanine
Atlanta Braves left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is hit by the first pitch of the game against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at SunTrust Park. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves Player Ronald Acuña Jr. is speaking about getting hit by a fastball pitched by Marlins player Jose Ureña.

Since then, the Major League Baseball suspended Ureña six games. Ureña was also fined an undisclosed amount.

The fastball that hit Acuña in the elbow was about 97 mph. Acuña, who speaks Spanish, talked to the media Thursday with a translator by his side.

RELATED | Marlins' Jose Ureña suspended six games for plunking Ronald Acuña Jr.

"What I was expecting was a pitch either middle end or middle out," he explained. "That's kind of where my thought process was at. Obviously, that didn't happen, it seems kind of intentional because it wasn't really where I was expecting it at the time."

"It felt like the pitch was intentional at the time," he said. "But to me, baseball is a man's game. It's over now."

Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park on July 15, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Acuña was more than ready to set a major-league record by hitting a leadoff home run for the fourth consecutive inning. Even after this happened, he doesn't plan on letting this get in the way of helping his teammates to victory. He said for him, the game is still about winning.

"Im going to be the same player I've always been and I'm going to play with happiness and joy and I'm going to have fun out there.

Acuña said Ureña asked him if he was OK after he was hit.

"Immediately right away, obviously got hit and it hurt and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to play, and even felt a little dizzy a the time. But I felt like I was able to compose myself."

Braves first base coach Eric Young received a one-game suspension and a fine for his actions during the incident.

Ureña's suspension is scheduled to take effect on Friday, unless he files an appeal.

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