New York Mets first-baseman James Loney has been everything and more than anyone could have asked for. Replacing the production of Lucas Duda is no easy task, but Loney has done quite a job in his absence.
Loney has been a boost at the plate and in the field, flashing a solid bat to go along with a flashy glove. He was in the middle of some of last night’s biggest moments in the team’s 8-6 win over the Atlanta Braves. In the top of the fifth, Loney blasted a three-run bomb, giving the team their 8-0 lead which would hold up to end their four-game drought against the Braves.
Through 22 games this year, Loney has himself 25 hits and is hitting to a .305/.367/.463 slash line. He has two homers to go along with eight RBI and nine runs scored. Loney also has himself five doubles and a triple, showing he is more than just a singles hitter that many believed he would be.
The final play of last night’s game ended with a strikeout in the dirt by Jeurys Familia. Travis d’Arnaud quickly scrambled to make the throw to first and it was a great pick by James Loney that helped to end the game in controversial fashion. Atlanta lost the challenge that Loney never touched the bag while making a great play.
“I had to anticipate what side he’d throw it on and then I went to that side,” Loney said. “I knew it’s going to be over there somewhere.” (Newsday)
When Loney was traded for, no one believed he would be anything but a platoon player for this team. He though has seized the opportunity in front of him and has not looked back. Loney has been a pleasant surprise in an offense that has sputtered through the month of June.
