Carlos Martinez upset with lack of ‘respect’ from Ronald Acuna
Ronald Acuna Jr. is frustrating players on both sides of the NLDS.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez said after his team’s 7-6 Game 1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night that he was annoyed with the way Acuna rounded the bases after a home run in the 9th. Martinez complained that Acuna’s style was disrespectful.
The Cardinals weren't thrilled by how Ronald Acuña Jr. rounded the bases on his 9th inning homer, enough that Yadier Molina went to the mound to calm Carlos Martinez down afterwards.
Postgame, Martinez said: "I wanted him to respect the game & respect me as a veteran player."
— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) October 4, 2019
You can see video of the home run here, which made it a 7-5 game. Acuna slowed up by third base, which bothered Martinez.
Ronald Acuna Jr with a two run HR! It’s a two run game! #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/eTL2n4FCzl
— Overtime Heroics (@OTHeroics1) October 4, 2019
Atlanta got another run on a Freddie Freeman homer, but they still came up short.
Martinez gave up all three runs and was no doubt feeling pressure, but his complaint is a common one among pitchers after getting rocked. Just ask Madison Bumgarner.
Beyond upsetting Martinez, Acuna also frustrated his own teammates with his baserunning earlier in the game.