Miami Marlins’ Pablo Lopez, Don Mattingly ejected after Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. hit with opening pitch
Miami Marlins starter Pablo Lopez and manager Don Mattingly were both ejected after Lopez hit Atlanta Braves slugger Ronald Acuna Jr. with the first pitch of the game Friday night.
The Marlins have a history of hitting Acuna. Miami pitcher Jose Urena hit him in a rivalry that began in 2018, but it did not appear that Lopez intended to do the same when Acuna was struck in the back of the left arm.
After he was hit by the Marlins for the fifth time in his career, Acuna stood at the plate and took his time walking to first. Braves manager Brian Snitker immediately came out of the dugout to protest and gestured that Lopez should be ejected for intentionally hitting his slugger.
The umpiring crew convened on the infield, and crew chief Dan Iassogna raised his arm to throw out Lopez, who stayed on the field for a couple of minutes to argue his case.
Mattingly was incensed as he emerged from the dugout and was tossed soon thereafter. He continued talking to umpires after he was ejected but eventually left the field.
Marlins pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. also was tossed by Iassogna for arguing about Lopez’s ejection later in the inning.
After taking first base, Acuna would go on to score the game’s only run in Atlanta’s 1-0 victory.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.