Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Urena was suspended six games after hitting Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. with the first pitch of Wednesday night's game — an event that set off a benches-clearing skirmish.
Major League Baseball announced Urena's suspension will begin on Friday barring an appeal. Urena was also handed an undisclosed fine. Braves first base coach Eric Young received a one-game suspension for his role during the altercation.
In the finale of its four-game series at Atlanta, tempers flared on the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning. Acuna — the Braves 20-year-old star rookie who led off the previous three games with home runs — stepped to the plate against Urena. The 26-year-old righthander unleashed a 97 mph hour fastball, drilling Acuna on his left arm.
The rookie went down in pain as both benches cleared and moved toward the mound. While no fighting took place, heated jawing took place between the two sides. Urena was soon ejected, forcing the Marlins to immediately go to the bullpen.
According to Stats.com, Urena became the fourth starter of the live-ball era to hit the only batter he faced, and the first to do it with the only pitch he threw.
News services
