ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol questioned outfielder Tyler O’Neill’s commitment after he was knocked out at home Tuesday-evening in a 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Trailing St. Louis 4-1 with two outs in the seventh inning, O’Neill tried to score on Brendan Donovan’s pinch-hit liner to right. But O’Neill was cut down by Ronald Acuña Jr. at the plate.
Marmol disagreed with O’Neill’s turn around third on the sharp hit ball to Acuña.
“That’s not our style of play in terms of effort, finishing the sack there,” Marmol said. “It’s unacceptable.”
O’Neill, who suffered from leg problems throughout the 2022 season, acknowledged a tense conversation with Marmol about the play, but disagreed with criticism of his effort.
“He didn’t think I was doing my best,” said O’Neill. “I’m grinding here every day, giving everything and trying to stay here for 160 games.
“Like I said, I just need to get a better jump next time and I think I need to get around the base a bit faster and be in it next time.”
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