VIDEO: Braves' Freddie Freeman Calls Out Ronald Acuña for Lack of Hustle Yet Again After NLDS Game 1
Frustrations were through the roof Thursday night for the Atlanta Braves. Despite holding home-field advantage, they let Game 1 get away from them, falling 7-6 to the St. Louis Cardinals. If that wasn't bad enough, Freddie Freeman's comments regarding Ronald Acuña's lack of hustle won't make the young star too happy.
Freddie Freeman on Ronald Acuna not hustling out of the box...
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 4, 2019
“You have that conversation once.. it’s kind of like beating a dead horse” pic.twitter.com/cx9pgPpPLL
The play in question? Acuña launched a bomb to right field, but it ended up staying in the park. He thought that baby was gone, which you can clearly see after watching this clip.
Ronald Acuña Jr. gets caught watching the ball again. pic.twitter.com/nuXK6J9e5D
— handlit33 (@handlit33) October 3, 2019
Unfortunately, the ball didn't make it to the stands and Acuña ended up with one of the longest singles you'll ever see. Had he showed some hustle, that easily would have been a double. That's why Freeman was so visibly frustrated.
However, should the veteran really be calling Acuña out like this? The stud ended up going 3-for-4, with a homer and two RBI.
In his first three playoff games at SunTrust Park, Ronald Acuña Jr. has four hits, two walks and two home runs.
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) October 4, 2019
(via @Braves) pic.twitter.com/EABadSHe5Q
Then again, if Acuña gets to second base to lead off the inning, it's a completely different story and the Braves could've had another insurance run.
Braves fans can only hope Freeman's comments doesn't lead to animosity between the two. Down a game already, the last thing Atlanta needs is drama in the clubhouse.