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Atlanta Braves shortstop Nicky Lopez flashed his best “Shohei Ohtani” on Saturday with an impressive performance at both the dish and on the mound. The infielder recorded four hits while also pitching a scoreless ninth inning.
The baseball world has taken note of his big day as they post reactions on social media.
Ohtani is a known commodity around the MLB as he leads the AL MVP race with the Angels. The dual threat star has posted a .305 average this season while blasting a Major League leading 40 home runs. He also has 10 wins as a starting pitcher.
He might have a little competition, though, given Lopez’s most recent outing.
The shortstop went 4-6 at the plate, including hitting his first home run of the season. Lopez racked up five RBIs in the process to help the Braves blow out the rival Mets, 21-3.
Nicky Lopez – Atlanta Braves (1) pic.twitter.com/k0DlCKbnaL
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 12, 2023
That ninth inning home run wasn’t the end of Lopez’s day, though. He was soon called upon for his first pitching appearance of the year.
And he performed admirably.
After walking the first batter he faced, Lopez recorded three straight outs to end the contest. He wouldn’t receive a save due to the lopsided score of the game, but he would grab the attention of baseball viewers.
Here’s what they had to say after the big day.
Nicky Lopez today:
Hitting: 4-6 2B HR 3R 5RBI
Pitching: 1IP 0R 0H 1BB 0.00 ERAWatch out Ohtani 👀
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 12, 2023
Nicky Lopez: 4-6 at the plate today
Now pitching in the 9th
Move over Ohtani pic.twitter.com/nUuVFqyUqe
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) August 12, 2023
I am now friends with the 2 greatest 2 way players in the sport.
AL = Shohei Ohtani
NL = Nicky LopezThis is huge for me. pic.twitter.com/hMtcidBIrM
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) August 12, 2023
— willytheviking (@willytheviking1) August 12, 2023
Jokes aside, it was a fantastic day for Nicky Lopez.