Former Royals infielder Nicky Lopez sets a second MLB record with Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have a pair of MVP candidates in first baseman Matt Olson and right fielder Ronald Acuña.

But neither of those two leads the team in average or on-base plus slugging percentage among players who have started at least one game. Atlanta’s team leader in those categories is Nicky Lopez, the former Royals infielder.

There’s an obvious caveat: Lopez has appeared in just three games with the Braves. But that doesn’t take away from what he has done since joining Atlanta.

Lopez made his second start for the Braves on Monday and went three for four with three RBIs in Atlanta’s 11-3 win over the Yankees.

In two starts for the Braves since being traded by the Royals last month, Lopez is batting .700 (7 for 10) with eight RBIs, five runs scored and a 1.800 OPS.

Lopez had a stat line unseen in MLB history in his first start on Saturday. He set another record Monday.

Opta Sports said Lopez is the first player with seven or more hits and eight or more RBIs in his first two starts with a team since RBIs became an official stat in 1920.

After Monday’s game, Lopez was interviewed on the MLB Network. Jon Morosi jokingly asked Lopez if he’s told Acuña and Olson he’s now leading the team.

“No, I have not,” Lopez said with a smile. “I credit a lot of it to watching them hit in the cages, just trying to pick the brains of everyone I can here. I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here and who better to learn from than two MVP candidates, so it’s been awesome.”

Toronto’s Whit Merrifield, a former Royals teammate, tweeted a short message about Lopez.