NEW YORK -- Ronald Acuña Jr.isn’t the only member of the Braves who is up for consideration for the National League MVP Award. First baseman Matt Olson is having a season to remember, leading the Major Leagues in home runs (43) and RBIs (107), while trailing only Shohei Ohtani in slugging percentage (.621).

Olson made his presence felt in a 7-6 loss to the Mets on Sunday night at Citi Field. Atlanta trailed, 7-4, going into the eighth inning, but Olson put a scare into New York when he swung at a 2-1 pitch from Brooks Raley and hit a two-run blast to make it a one-run game.

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According to Statcast, the ball traveled a projected 455 feet and left the bat at 109.5 mph. It was Olson’s 60th career home run against left-handed pitchers, the most by a left-handed batter since 2017.

“It was a sinker down and in. I was able to get the bat to it and squared up,” Olson said. “There are times, I would rather face a lefty than a righty. You just go through waves of stuff like that. I think most hitters look at it as not a big thing.

“Obviously, I know platooning is big in the game right now, but I think most people confidently believe they can hit both sides. They are willing to get the opportunities [to do it].”

After the home run, the Braves had every reason to believe that they were going to win the series finale. After all, they had their way with the Mets in the first three games of the set, outscoring New York, 34-3.

But New York reliever Adam Ottavino notched his seventh save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.

“When we get opportunities and flip a game, everybody in this clubhouse thinks we can come away with [a victory],” third baseman Austin Riley said. “That’s the mentality you have to have. When things are not going your way, you have to keep plugging.”

It turned out to be a great road trip for Olson, who had a slash line of .372/.491/ .837 with six home runs and 16 RBIs. At the rate he is going, Olson has a chance to become the first member of the Braves since Hank Aaron to lead the Major Leagues in home runs and RBIs (44 and 132 in 1957).

But talk to Olson about reaching that milestone, he will tell you that winning games is most important.

“It’s not really a big focus of mine, honestly,” Olson said. “We are out here trying to win games. I’m trying to help the team win. I do what I can to have solid at-bats.

“What happens, happens.”

The humble Olson may be looking at victories, but his teammates admire the season he is having in 2023. According to Riley, it doesn’t matter how you pitch to Olson; He is going to put a charge into the baseball.

“The most impressive thing is, it’s not one part of the zone he is doing damage on. … He is hitting the pitcher's pitches,” Riley said.

“That goes to show the work ethic that he has. He works a lot on his swing. He is trying to be as consistent as possible. I think you are seeing it right now.”

Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna called Olson one of the best hitters in the game. Ozuna and Olson are two of six Braves -- Acuña, Riley, Ozzie Albies and Sean Murphy are the others -- with 20 or more home runs this season, the most to do so in the fewest team games (117) in AL/NL history.

“Thank God, he is on my team and I’m seeing all of those homers. That’s amazing and incredible,” Ozuna said about Olson. “I’m not surprised because I know he can hit 40-plus home runs in a season.

“He has been doing it for a while. I wish him the best of luck with his health.”