A.J. Ewing keeps proving that the sudden promotion by the Mets was a smart decision.

AJ Ewing Shines in Mets’ Victory Over Braves

On Sunday, AJ Ewing reminded everyone why the Mets were so keen on bringing him up from the minors earlier this season, especially since they’ve been looking for a center fielder. He was a key player in the team’s 8-1 win against Atlanta at Citi Field.

The 21-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance with his speed and defensive skills, though, to be honest, his batting has been a bit hit-or-miss. Coming into the game, he had only managed one hit in his last 11 at-bats. But then, in a pleasant twist, Ewing stepped up against the Braves. He hit a double in the first inning—just as his team had established a 4-run lead—followed by a single in the third and a home run to right field in the fifth.

Carlos Mendoza, the Mets’ manager, described Ewing’s performance as “impressive,” particularly noting his at-bat against challenging pitcher Bryce Elder. “I want to be myself and keep it simple,” Ewing commented afterward, which, you know, feels relatable.

Mendoza pointed out how Ewing managed to handle the pressure, especially considering some tough games in the past. He even drew a comparison to another rookie, Carson Benge, highlighting how both players maintain composure amid the ups and downs of their debut season. “Like Carson, I’m not sure if he was 0-for-4 or had a great game—but it’s all about consistency. He’s using the entire field, playing well in the field, and running the bases effectively. He’s a mature talent who’s still adapting and learning,” Mendoza explained.

In more Mets news, with the ever-changing pitching rotation, Tobias Myers is set to take the mound in Monday’s opener against the Reds in Cincinnati. Myers is currently with Triple-A Syracuse, and though he pitched 2 2/3 innings on Thursday with only 36 pitches thrown, Coach Mendoza believes he can stretch out a bit more.

Mendoza commented that they’re still figuring out how to manage pitching, mentioning how they’ll assess Myers’ performance throughout the game, keeping an eye on pitch counts. With a couple of other players, Christian Scott and Nolan McLean, sidelined, they’re contemplating the next moves for the series.

Acquired from Milwaukee along with Freddy Peralta in the offseason, Myers hasn’t pitched more than two innings in a major league game since May 2.

On a different note, during the last game, Peralta had a rocky start, conceding three hits right off the bat as the Braves took on his four-seam fastball. To adjust, he and his catcher, Luis Torrence, switched it up, using fewer fastballs in favor of curveballs, sliders, and sweepers. This adjustment helped Peralta navigate through five innings but at the cost of needing 90 pitches overall.