Acuña looking more like MVP self after slow start
Slugger steals three bases, reaches base four times in Braves’ win over Mets
ATLANTA — As Ronald Acuña Jr. raced around the bases in the Braves’ 6-5 win over the Mets on Tuesday night at Truist Park, he seemed to erase thoughts that his slow start was a product of his previously sore right knee.
Acuña created reminders of his 2023 MVP season as he tallied a pair of hits, reached safely in each of his first four plate appearances and stole three bases. His leadoff single in Atlanta’s three-run third inning was the first of six straight singles recorded against New York starter Adrian Houser.
Acuña enjoyed many nights like this last year, when he became the first player to ever hit 40-plus homers and tally 70-plus stolen bases in a season. But he had been pretty quiet through the first nine games this year. He entered Tuesday hitting .222 with no homers, one stolen base and a .611 OPS.
There wasn’t any reason to panic about numbers created by a sample size of just nine games and 42 plate appearances. But it was easy to understand if Braves fans were getting anxious while looking forward to seeing the reigning National League MVP begin to do his thing again.
Ozzie Albies’ RBI double
Apr 9, 2024 · 0:30
Ozzie Albies’ RBI double
Acuña got hit by a pitch to begin the bottom of the first, stole second and reached third on a throwing error before jogging home on Ozzie Albies’ RBI double. The Braves right fielder lined a single to left to begin the key third and then walked with one out in the fourth. This positioned him to steal both second and third base.
Acuña led MLB with a franchise-record 73 stolen bases last year, but this was just the second time he stole three bases in a game. The other occurrence was against the Astros on April 22, 2023.
A sixth-inning infield single capped a productive night for Acuña, who has four multi-hit performances through his first 10 games. He is now hitting .256 with a .691 OPS.
