NEW YORK (AP) — Luisangel Acuña has already proven himself so good as a backup player for the New York Mets that his brother’s team is in increasing danger of missing the postseason.

As a replacement for the injured Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Acuña crowned a great evening at bat with his first career home run and helped The Mets beat the Washington Nationals 10-1 on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Acuña, a younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., completed a triple cycle and scored three hits in his fourth major league game.

“He had an amazing night and I hope he has many, many more like that in his career,” said Mets teammate Pete Alonso. “It’s been a really exciting start for him and he played great for us.”

New York’s victory coupled with Atlanta’s 6-5 loss in Cincinnati This means that the Braves are two games away from a playoff spot with eleven games left. The Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks are tied at 83-68 for the second of three National League wild cards.

“I’m just here to help in any way I can,” Luisangel Acuña said through an interpreter.

The struggling Braves, who won six consecutive NL East titles, have been without Ronald Acuña Jr. since late May, when the 26-year-old The reigning NL MVP suffered a knee injury that ended his season.

Lindor suffered a back injury during his victory on Friday night in Philadelphia and The following day, the Mets called up Luisangel Acuña from Triple-A Syracuse. He hit two singles in his major league debut, but came off the bench on Sunday when Lindor left early due to recurring pain.

Acuña came into defense in the ninth inning of a tie Monday night against Washington and mastered four grounders flawlessly – one of them with the infield inside.

None of these chances were particularly difficult, but they all came with a runner in scoring position and the game on the line. New York won 2-1 in 10 innings.

“He came in and showed himself – on both sides, on offense and defense,” said Mets pitcher Tylor Megill. “Nothing has changed since he’s been here. He’s still playing unbelievably.”

With left-hander Mitchell Parker on the mound for Washington on Tuesday, the Mets gave Acuña his second start and he undoubtedly made the most of it.

In the ninth, he hit a line-drive double in the third inning to score New York’s first run, his first extra-base hit and RBI. Acuña hit a single and scored again on Alonso’s three-run home run in the sixth inning, then hit a solo shot of his own in the eighth.

That put him at 5-of-11 in the major leagues, and it’s easy to forget that Acuña couldn’t handle his first career error earlier in the game.

“He’s settled in super quickly. I mean, he’s just been a total professional so far and he’s been outstanding,” said Alonso. “I know it’s only been a couple of games, but I’m really, really impressed with how he goes about his business. I mean, his play on the field speaks for itself, but also the way he conducts himself and does his job every day. He’s been a real professional so far and it’s great to see that.”

Many promising talents like Acuña are making their debut in the major leagues this month to gain experience towards the end of the season.

In New York City, no one else can do that as a shortstop: stepping in for a top MVP contender in the heat of a tense playoff race.

“I got this confidence from my brother,” said the younger Acuña.

He received a congratulatory text from his big brother on Tuesday night and plans to display the commemorative ball from his first home run in a trophy case in the new house he is building.

“Excited. Proud of myself,” said Acuña. “I think I deserve this.”

Acuña was acquired in a trade in July 2023 when the Mets sent three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and cash to the Texas Rangers.

Acuña was immediately considered one of New York’s most promising talents, posting a .258 batting average with seven home runs and 40 stolen bases in 131 games for Syracuse that season, splitting his time between shortstop, second baseman and center field.

Now he’s aiming to help the Mets reach the playoffs. They’re playing a crucial three-game series in Atlanta starting next Tuesday – and even though Ronald Acuña Jr. can’t play, the topic is certainly on his mind.

“He just told me he would be there,” Luisangel Acuña said, “and he just wanted to make sure I was there so we could swap jerseys.”

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