Before Sunday, the last time a Cleveland catcher had three extra base hits in one game was nearly 10 years ago, when Carlos Santana did it against the Rays.
How long has it been since a Cleveland catcher had three extra base hits in one game?
So, watching Zunino hit a three-run homer in the second inning and leadoff doubles in the fifth and seventh innings was a rare sighting. He made it back this year, but probably isn’t under a full head of steam. That’s another aspect of the Guardians carrying three catchers. They want to protect Zunino.
“That’s welcome,” said Francona. “We got a three-run homer right after they hit the leadoff homer . It was kind of nice to come back like that. It gave us a chance.”“I just haven’t had quality at bats ,” said Zunino. “I missed a lot of at-bats last year being injured. I’m getting more and more comfortable at the plate. It’s just a matter of battling these at-bats and keep things rolling.”
Zunino’s biggest contribution before Sunday was getting hit in the shoulder by Teoscar Hernandez’s throw from foul territory in right field with the bases loaded in the second inning Friday night. Hernandez caught Straw’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly and threw home to try and stop Oscar Gonzalez from scoring.
Zunino, 32, has power, but isn’t going to win any batting titles. Defensively, he is still trying to find his way after playing just 36 games last year.
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