Ronald Acuna Jr. made everyone mad with his baserunning Thursday: Braves teammates, because he didn't run hard on a seventh-inning single that hit the right-field wall (he was later doubled off second base, to boot), and Cardinals closer Carlos Martinez, because he seemed to pimp a long ninth-inning home run with his team trailing.
Martinez's gripe was silly, for two reasons: He and catcher Yadier Molina proceeded to low-five with gusto between the mound and home plate after the third out, and he almost blew a four-run lead before finishing off a 7-6 St. Louis victory in NLDS Game 1.
Martinez was even getting ready to chirp the Braves' dugout before Molina wisely grabbed his jersey, turned him toward the outfield and dissuaded him from escalating.
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A few miunutes later, while the Cards were still celebrating at SunTrust Park, Martinez unburdened himself and spoke of his outrage.
"I wanted him to respect the game and respect me as a veteran player," Martinez, 27 and a seventh-year major leaguer, told reporters through a translator, per Joe Trezza of MLB.com. "That’s it. Just play the game."
Martinez's pitching line certainly didn't command respect: 1 1/3 innings, three runs (all earned) and four hits. He came on in the eighth with the game tied 3-3, and then benefited from the Cardinals' four-run ninth inning against the Atlanta 'pen. He was credited with the win.
Then he took an "L" from social media for being mad at Acuna. A sample:
My favorite part was him pounding his chest after striking out Markakis like he didn’t just give up two absolute moon shots. Good for him only allowing three runs instead of four.
— Brett Mansfield (@Fresh_Manny2) October 4, 2019
Is Carlos a Boomer?
— CascadiaCoug 🎃 (@CascadiaCougXII) October 4, 2019
— LINDSAY (@LindsTeach1386) October 4, 2019
Oh. Bless his heart...
— MSully10 (@MartySullivan10) October 4, 2019
