Based on comments by the players, they seemed to think it was unintentional. I didn't think it was intentional either watching it live.
But why did they feel the need to retaliate if they didn't think Acuña was hit on purpose? Something isn't adding up.
Because guys in competitve situations dont act rationally.
Fans with no real experience in competition get fired up just watching a player get hit and are unable to think rationally. It’s likely 10x worse for guys who are actually part of it.