Acuna helps Braves get to Syndergaard early
Phenom sparks 3-run outburst in first vs. Mets flamethrower
NEW YORK -- Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. helped the Braves get off to an early lead over the Mets after one-half inning in Tuesday's 3-2 series-opening win at Citi Field.
Atlanta got off to a quick start in the first inning off Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard, and the two young stars were in the middle of it all; Albies singled and Acuna doubled to put runners on second and third. Freddie Freeman followed and doubled home Albies and Acuna to make it a 2-0 game.
Freeman then came home on a single by Nick Markakis for the Braves' fourth straight hit to open the game.
"[The Braves] have aggressive approaches, really," Braves manager Snitker said. "You know what you are in for when you face [Syndergaard]. You are on the attack all the time. The guys put good swings on it and didn't miss."
Acuna ended up going 2-for-5. He also singled in the fourth inning off Syndergaard.
"He is an incredible pitcher and a great ballplayer," Acuna said of Syndergaard. "Every time I go out on the field, I give my best effort. Tonight we walked away with a win."
Acuna was more impressed with teammate Mike Soroka, who made the Braves' three-run outburst off Syndergaard hold up in his Major League debut on Tuesday. He finished with one run allowed over six innings.
"He is an incredible pitcher, great ballplayer. I'm not surprised at at all, to be honest, about the performance he put up there. That's who he is," Acuna said.