Takeaways: Atlanta Braves split doubleheader with New York Mets

Atlanta started things off hot with three home runs in the first two innings of the doubleheader against the New York Mets.

Game one's 9-8 win involved four home runs split between Sean Murphy, Ronald Acuña, and Kevin Pillar.

The offense slowed down in the second game of the day. The 5-3 loss to the Mets in the series finale involved just five Braves hits in the action. Atlanta also struggled to get much going against the New York Mets relief staff.

Here were our takeaways from all 18 innings of Monday's action.

Ronald Acuña left game two early

In the first at-bat of Monday's second contest, a 93 MPH pitch from Tylor Megill struck Acuña's left shoulder. He went to grab his arm and after a moment, went to the ground while the training staff went to check on him. He left the field under his own power and was replaced by Kevin Pillar.

Ronald Acuña Jr. was hit with a high fastball on the first at-bat of the game and exits with an injury. pic.twitter.com/A8TZOn1Gp6
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 1, 2023

Acuña's day was off to a strong start with three hits and a home run in the first nine innings on Monday. The preliminary diagnosis is a shoulder contusion, hinting that it shouldn't be an extended absence for the MVP candidate.

#Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed from today’s game with a left shoulder contusion.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 1, 2023

Spencer Strider looked human

Despite being game one's winning pitcher, Strider had his worst outing of the 2023 season. Through 5.0 innings, he allowed five hits, four runs, and three walks. His streak of striking out at least nine batters in a game ends at a franchise record nine games.

It was nice to see Strider work through some situations that he hasn't seen so far in his young career. Let's see how he responds next week when he takes the mound again.

Sean Murphy is him

Murphy's hot streak continues. In game one, he hit two three-run home runs to help Atlanta earn that game one win to start the doubleheader.

Murph heard how much y'all enjoyed his first dinger today so he decided to hit another one 😎#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/LOgTNkOR9s
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 1, 2023

Per a graphic from Bally, Murphy's first 100 at-bats with Atlanta have included:

- Eight home runs
- .646 SLG
- 175 wRC+

Murphy also had two hits in the second game. On the season, he leads all MLB catchers in home runs (with seven) and is tied with Texas Rangers backstop Jonah Heim with 22 RBIs.

What's next for the Atlanta Braves?

The Atlanta Braves get on a plane to leave New York and head to Miami, Florida to take on the Miami Marlins. First pitch will be Tuesday at 6:40 ET. The broadcast, with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin, is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports South and on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.