Latest news with #LuisangelAcuna
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juan Soto's game-tying two-run single
Juan Soto lines a single up the middle to plate Luisangel Acuña and Francisco Lindor, tying the game at 5 in the bottom of the 7th
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nick Loftin hits second game-winner in less than a week, Royals beat Mets 3-2 to avoid 3-game sweep
New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes walks to the bullpen to warm up during a rain delay before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) throws to first for the double play hit into by Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. after forcing Jonathan India (6) out at second during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a two-run double hit by Kansas City Royals' John Rave during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a two-run double hit by Kansas City Royals' John Rave during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes walks to the bullpen to warm up during a rain delay before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) throws to first for the double play hit into by Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. after forcing Jonathan India (6) out at second during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a two-run double hit by Kansas City Royals' John Rave during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Loftin delivered his second game-winning hit in less than a week, driving in Tyler Tolbert from second base with a single in the ninth inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the New York Mets on Sunday. Tolbert singled off Sean Manaea, who had been dominant in relief in his season debut for the Mets. And when the speedster stole second base, that gave Loftin the chance to deliver another winner after his deciding single Tuesday against Pittsburgh. Advertisement Manaea (0-1), who had been out after straining an oblique in spring training and then developing an elbow issue during his rehab outings, allowed that lone run and five hits while striking out seven in 3 1/3 innings. Noah Cameron delivered another brilliant start for Kansas City, scattering seven hits while matching a career best with eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. And the rookie left-hander was in line for his fourth win when John Schreiber and Lucas Erceg shepherded a 2-0 lead — courtesy of John Rave's second-inning double — to All-Star closer Carlos Estévez. Ronny Mauricio led off the ninth with a double off Estévez (4-2). Jeff McNeil followed with an RBI triple off the center-field wall, and fellow pinch hitter Jared Young delivered a sacrifice fly moments later to tie the game. Clay Holmes allowed two runs and five hits and a walk over five innings for New York. Advertisement Key moment Tolbert entered the game in the eighth for Jac Caglianone for his defense. It wound up being his offense that mattered, helping the Royals avoid a three-game sweep heading into the All-Star break. Key stat The Mets went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight in the game. Up next The Mets will be represented at the All-Star Game in Atlanta this week by LHP David Peterson, RHP Edwin Diaz, SS Francisco Lindor and 1B Pete Alonso. The Royals will have INF Maikel Garcia, Estévez, SS Bobby Witt Jr. and LHP Kris Bubic there. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets recall Luisangel Acuña from Triple-A before doubleheader against Orioles
Philadelphia Phillies' Buddy Kennedy (19) is forced out at second as New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) throws to first in the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas, left, is safe at second before New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna can make the tag in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas, left, is safe at second before New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna can make the tag in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) Philadelphia Phillies' Buddy Kennedy (19) is forced out at second as New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) throws to first in the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas, left, is safe at second before New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna can make the tag in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) BALTIMORE (AP) — The New York Mets recalled 23-year-old utility man Luisangel Acuña from Triple-A Syracuse before Thursday's split doubleheader against Baltimore. The brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., Luisangel Acuña went 13-for-45 (.286) for Syracuse after the Mets optioned him in late June. Advertisement Capable of playing second base, shortstop or the outfield, Acuña had batted .241 in 65 games before going to the minors. 'He was a big part of this team the first couple of months,' Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters of Acuña. 'We got to a point where we felt like, 'Hey, let's get him some everyday playing time. 'And now it's time for him to be back up here, continuing to help us win baseball games." In a corresponding move, the Mets designated outfielder Travis Jankowski for assignment. Acuña was on the bench for New York's first game of the doubleheader. ___ AP MLB:
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Superstar Ronald Acuna, Jr. Has 3 Brothers En Route To Majors Too
Half-brothers Ronald Acuna, Jr. of the Atlanta Braves (left) and Luisangel Acuna of the New York ... More Mets (right) meet at Atlanta's Truist Park on September 24, 2024. (Photo by Timothy Healey/Newsday RM via Getty Images) Bad news for pitchers: there may soon be a plethora of Acunas in the major leagues. Perennial All-Star Ronald Acuna, Jr., at 27, is the oldest of four baseball-playing brothers. Luisangel Acuna, a 23-year-old infielder, started this season with the New York Mets. A third brother, Bryan, was born in 2005 and a fourth, Kenny, four years later. Bryan is an infielder in the Minnesota Twins organization while underage Kenny has a verbal agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies. The bloodlines were already there: patriarch Ronald Acuna, Sr. played minor-league baseball in the New York Mets system. 'I knew how to play baseball,' said Acuna, Sr. in a 2018 interview for La Vida Baseball, "but I never cared about lifting weights. Nor did I have the best attitude on the field. 'Those mistakes cost me my career. Otherwise, I would have made it.' His eldest son certainly did. The right-fielder and leadoff man for the Atlanta Braves was National League Rookie of the Year in 2018 and unanimous Most Valuable Player in 2023. That was the year he became the only man in baseball history to hit at least 40 home runs (41) and steal at least 70 bases (a club-record 73) in the same season. It was his second 40-homer campaign. Ronald missed most of last year after tearing his left Achilles while running the bases in Pittsburgh May 26. He missed a year, returning May 23 and picking up where he left off. Since his return, he has the best batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base mark of any man in the majors. Ronald Acuna, Jr. celebrates a home run. (Photo by) Except for his two ACL tears (and subsequent surgeries), Acuna has not encountered the bad luck many players associate with No. 13. In fact, he was the first man invited to this year's All-Star Home Run Derby and is likely to make the National League All-Star team for the fifth time. The year before he reached Atlanta, his father predicted that Ronald, Jr. would become a big-league star. 'Besides having much more power,' his proud dad said of his eldest offspring, 'he's also much more talented and disciplined than I ever was.' Luisangel, used as a three-position infielder by the Mets, stole 11 bases in limited action this year before the team decided he'd be best-served playing every day in the minors. He was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse just as the parent club opened a four-game CitiField series against his brother's Braves earlier this week. 'He had a really good April, when he was getting consistent playing time,' said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza of the rookie infielder. 'He helped us win a lot of baseball games but then it was a combination of some other guys producing. He became a role guy.' The demotion of his brother did not surprise Ronald. 'It's a business,' he said Tuesday night through Braves interpreter Franco Garcia. ''I'm not going to lie. I would love to see my brother here and be up with the team. But the most important thing for me personally was that we won tonight's game." A surplus of young, talented, but untested infielders made Mendoza juggle. Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Brett Baty all vied with Acuna for playing time. 'When you play good and you play good every day, they need to find a spot in the lineup for you,' said his wise older brother, who landed his job when veteran Nick Markakis retired. The brothers did not play in the same game last year because Ronald was recuperating from his second torn ACL. But Luisangel did start two games at shortstop when the Mets came to Truist Park in September. Speed and versatility are the calling cards of Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna, the second member of ... More the clan to reach the majors. (Photo by) Ronald thinks Luisangel will be a star. 'I've always said he's a better player than I am,' said Ronald. 'He's a tremendous talent. But he doesn't need to be like me at all.' In 2023, Ronald said his brother is more advanced and better than he was at the same age. Ronald and Luisangel bear a facial resemblance and have familiar swings. 'There are so many parts of our game that are similar,' Ronald said. 'Watching him play feels like watching myself play. The main difference is he's in the infield.' That could change, as the Mets have mused about moving Luisangel to center field, a spot that would maximize his speed and fill a season-long void. Luisangel may never replicate the robust power of his oldest sibling. In his season debut, Ronald became the first player in history to hit a leadoff homer in his first at-bat after missing at least 150 games. He also flashed his rifle arm, nailing a runner trying to turn a single into an extra-base hit. Ronald worked overtime at Atlanta's Florida training complex to get himself into playing shape. He's even starting to steal bases again. 'With all the hard work and preparation he's put in, he deserves all of it,' Luisangel said. Ronald has even been flirting with a .400 batting average since returning to the top of the Atlanta lineup last month. The two brothers appeared in the same boxscore for the first time after Luisangel entered a Truist Park game as a ninth-inning defensive replacement at second base. But Ronald made the play of the game, robbing Pete Alonso of an extra-base hit and doubling Juan Soto off first. The Acunas have played together before – on the basketball court. The Venezuelan youngsters grew up in a small town 65 miles east of Caracas. Those pick-up games now seem light-years ago – long before Ronald signed an eight-year, $100 million contract that contains club options for 2027 and 2028. None of the other Acunas may ever reach that level of salary but there's always hope. 'I look up to my brother,' said Luisangel, who had a contract for $766,000 during his brief stint with the Mets. 'I've learned a lot from him being a superstar in the game. He's a part of my career because he's always been there for me.'
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets demote second former top prospect in two days
For the second straight day, the New York Mets have demoted a former top prospect to the minor leagues. The Mets optioned infielder Luisangel Acuna to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. The younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. has started just five times over the last month due to offensive struggles, collecting only 18 at-bats in June. Advertisement Luisangel Acuna was slashing .308/.357/.385 through April with five doubles, but his numbers dropped dramatically in May when he hit .204/.254/.222. June brought more struggles at .167/.211/.167. Overall this season, Acuna carries a .241/.293/.283 line with no home runs and a poor 68 OPS+ — meaning he was 32% worse than the league average hitter. The Mets called up veteran outfielder Travis Jankowski to fill his roster spot. Acuna joins catcher Francisco Alvarez in Syracuse after Alvarez was sent down Sunday before the Mets' series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies. Alvarez has struggled at the plate all season, hitting .236/.319/.333 with just three home runs and 38 strikeouts in 35 games. He fractured the hamate bone in his left hand during spring training and didn't make his season debut until April 25. Advertisement Just two seasons ago, Alvarez hit 25 home runs. The Mets hope to get both players back on track offensively as they are part of the young core the team will need to rely on later this season and potentially in the playoffs. Related Headlines
