Rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing demonstrated his continued comfort against left-handed pitching during the New York Mets' 10-9 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Ewing went 2-for-4 against the Braves' left-handed pitchers, marking the second time this season he has recorded multiple hits in a game versus lefties.
Ewing's performance included a home run off Martín Pérez's sinker in the third inning, a blast that landed in center field. This was his fifth career home run and notably, the first he did not pull. "I think I have always been comfortable against lefties," Ewing stated.
At 21 years old, Ewing is one of two rookies in the current Mets lineup and has emerged as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the team. His recent performance has boosted his OPS to .756.
Interim manager Andy Green acknowledged Ewing's success, saying, "I think we have believed he’s going to hit lefties in the long run, and it’s good to see him doing it."
In other team news, Francisco Lindor is expected to either serve as designated hitter or receive a day off on Monday as the club manages his workload following a return from a calf strain. Green expressed a preference for Lindor to DH, stating, "Hopefully, it’s the DH because we love having his bat in the lineup."
Pitcher Kodai Senga is slated to pitch behind an opener for Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field. Senga made a relief appearance on Friday, pitching 2 ⅔ innings and allowing one earned run. He previously allowed two earned runs over five innings in relief against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Juan Soto has maintained a strong offensive presence, reaching base in 18 of his last 21 games since June 11. During this stretch, he ranks second in MLB among qualified hitters with a .500 on-base percentage, third in OPS at 1.171, and fifth in batting average at .371. Overall, Soto leads the National League with a .966 OPS.