The New York Mets faced off against the Atlanta Braves on June 23, 2025, in a game filled with family ties and competitive spirit. Ronald Acuña Jr. made headlines by hitting a home run in the third inning, leading the Braves to a 3-2 victory over the Mets at Citi Field. This game came just hours after the Mets announced they had sent Acuña’s younger brother, Luisangel, down to Triple-A Syracuse.
The decision to demote Luisangel Acuña was driven by the Mets’ current roster situation. With Jeff McNeil holding down second base and Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio sharing time at third, there was limited opportunity for Luisangel to play. Francisco Lindor remains the established shortstop, further complicating his chances for playing time.
Despite the demotion of his brother, Ronald Acuña insisted that it did not motivate him during the game. “It’s a business,” he said through an interpreter. “I would love to see my brother here, but the most important thing for me was that we won tonight’s game.”
The atmosphere at Citi Field was charged, with Acuña receiving boos from the crowd throughout the night. He embraced the negativity, saying it gave him confidence. “Honestly, it feels good,” he remarked. “Whenever I hear those boos, it’s hard to describe. It’s almost like I get more confidence.”
Acuña’s home run was a highlight of the game, and he celebrated with his signature antics, including mimicking tossing a grenade and dancing around the bases. This victory marked the Braves’ fourth straight win against the Mets this season.
The Mets’ struggles continued as they grappled with their performance, and Acuña’s success only added to their frustrations. He has been in top form since returning from a torn ACL that ended his previous season early. His current performance includes a remarkable on-base percentage of .504, the highest in Major League Baseball.
Braves manager Brian Snitker praised Acuña’s all-around game, noting how impressive it is for a player who has missed significant time to perform at such a high level. “When he’s playing his game, man, it’s fun to watch,” Snitker said.
As the season progresses, it seems likely that Ronald Acuña Jr. will continue to be a thorn in the Mets’ side, especially with his brother now out of the picture. The Mets will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around as they face the Braves again in the upcoming games.
