Washington Nationals pitcher Daniel Hudson missed the first game of the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals last week for the birth of his third child -- and received criticism for it.

Hudson returned for Game 2, but not after fans came after the pitcher for not playing in the first game of a pivotal series. Hudson has been a key pitcher for the Nationals all season long and losing him for one game might have been crucial. However, Hudson had a defender in Sean Doolittle.

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Doolittle came after the detractors and slammed them for saying anything less than congratulations to the pitcher who boasted a 1.44 ERA in the last two months of the season, helping Washington get as far as they have come.

“If your reaction to someone having a baby is anything other than, ‘Congratulations, I hope everybody is healthy,’ you’re an a—hole,” he said, according to The Athletic.

Even with Hudson out, the Nationals still managed to win Game 1 behind solid starting pitching from Anibal Sanchez and the work of the bullpen to close the door.

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Daniel Hudson throws during the ninth inning of Game 2 of the baseball National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in St. Louis. The Nationals won 3-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Hudson was back for Game 2, and got the final two outs of the game to put them up 2-0 in the series.