Braves bounce back to beat Mets in NL East showdown

AP photo by Frank Franklin II / Atlanta Braves second baseman Orlando Arcia, left, celebrates with right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. after Acuña caught a ball hit by the New York Mets' Pete Alonso at the wall during the first inning of Friday night's game. AP photo by Frank Franklin II / Atlanta Braves second baseman Orlando Arcia, left, celebrates with right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. after Acuña caught a ball hit by the New York Mets' Pete Alonso at the wall during the first inning of Friday night's game.

By MIKE FITZPATRICK / The Associated Press August 5, 2022 5 min read

NEW YORK – Maybe those fans out in right field should just leave Ronald Acuña Jr. alone.

Razzed at Citi Field with 40,000-plus on hand, Acuña matched his career high with four hits and robbed Pete Alonso of a two-run homer as the Atlanta Braves built a big early lead and beat the New York Mets 9-6 on Friday night to rebound quickly in a showdown of National League East Division rivals.

“It was all night – but I like that. I like that, just because it kind of gives me that motivation to play extra hard,” Acuña said through a translator. “I think tonight’s game felt like a playoff game.”

A night after the first-place Mets beat the second-place Braves 6-4 to start the five-game series, Eddie Rosario hit a three-run homer in the first inning and an RBI double in the second to help the Braves open an 8-0 cushion on the scoreboard. Rookie center fielder Michael Harris II also went deep and threw out a runner at the plate.

“That kid’s everything – and he can do everything,” Acuña said.