Ronald Acuna Jr. Talks Kelenic Out, Says Braves Would've Benched Him for Not Hustling

To hear Ronald Acuña Jr. tell it, there may be some double standards happening on the Atlanta Braves.

Jarred Kelenic's lack of hustle during a play in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins generated plenty of discussion in the aftermath since manager Brian Snitker did not bench him for being thrown out at second base after he admired what he thought would be a home run.

As Foul Territory shared, Acuña said he would have been taken out of the contest even though Kelenic wasn't:

While Atlanta ended up winning 4-3 thanks to a strong performance from its bullpen and a go-ahead RBI single from Alex Verdugo, Kelenic's play was a costly one in the moment since the game was tied at three.

It likely cost the Braves a run at least because Verdugo's single came in the very next at-bat.

There is probably a reason Acuña said what he said.

After all, Snitker benched Acuña during a game in 2019 when he admired what he thought would be a home run, only to settle for a single due to the lack of hustle. He was then thrown out attempting to steal second base in the aftermath of his first mistake.

The outfielder accepted responsibility in 2019 when he told reporters there was "no excuse" for it:

As for Kelenic, it appears he escaped any punishment for his mistake. The Braves revealed their starting lineup for Sunday's contest, and he is starting in right field and hitting eighth. 

Fortunately for the Braves, it hasn't cost them a game in the series against Minnesota. They are going for the sweep in Sunday's contest, which is a welcome change for the National League East team following a 5-13 start to the season.

Part of the issue is that Acuña is yet to play this season as he recovers from his torn ACL that required surgery. It was his second torn ACL, as he also missed time in 2021 because of a torn ACL.