NEW YORK — Luisangel Acuña has subbed in so nicely for the New York Mets already that his brother’s team is in growing danger of missing the postseason.
Replacing an ailing Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Acuña capped a huge night at the plate with the first home run of his Major League Baseball career to help the Mets beat the Washington Nationals 10-1 on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Acuña, a younger sibling of Atlanta Braves star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., finished a triple short of the cycle and scored three times in his fourth MLB game.
“He had a hell of a night, and I hope he has many, many nights like that in his career,” Mets teammate Pete Alonso said. “Super exciting start for him, and he’s been playing super lights-out for us.”
New York’s victory coupled with Atlanta’s 6-5 loss to the host Cincinnati Reds left the Braves two games out of a playoff spot with 11 to play. The Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks were tied for the second of three National League wild-card spots available for the playoffs at 83-68.