SAN DIEGO -- Catcher Mike Zunino was back in the lineup Wednesday night for the Guardians.
He was three days removed -- two games and Monday’s off-day -- from Saturday’s game against the Astros when he was charged with an error and a passed ball at Progressive Field.
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The Astros also stole six bases in as many attempts that night. Five of the steals came with Zunino behind the plate, but the manager Terry Francona said Houston’s basestealers were getting tipped off by something in Triston McKenzie’s delivery that allowed them to get easy jumps from first base.
At the plate, Zunino went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a double play grounder.
A reporter asked manager Terry Francona what Zunino has to do to stablize his season.
“That’s a pretty loaded question,” said Francona. “Offensively, I think you know there’s going to be strikeouts. But if he hits an occasional home run, OK. He’ll take his walks, which is good.”
Zunino is hitting .182 (22 for 121) with three homers and 11 RBI. Nearly 50% of his at-bats (60 for 121) have ended in strikeouts.
As for Saturday, Francona said, “The other night was kind of a perfect storm. They had a little read on Triston. They were getting really good jumps and Zunino was trying to be too quick. It just kind of mushroomed on us.
“Hopefully, that doesn’t happen anymore.”
FanGraphs has Zunino rated as a -8 in defensive runs saved.
The Guardians are still carrying three catchers -- Zunino, Cam Gallagher and David Fry. Bo Naylor, a former No.1 pick, continues to push from Class AAA Columbus.
Naylor hit his 13th homer Tuesday night. For the season, he’s hitting .256 (54 for 211) with 12 doubles, 13 homers and 48 RBI. Like Zunino, MLB’s new rules to increase scoring and stolen bases have hurt him when it comes to controlling the running game.
Zunino is 7 for 44 (16%) throwing out runners, while Naylor is 11 for 53 (21%) at Columbus.
No. 1. Range factor
Last season Francona said Amed Rosario fostered a feeling of “dependability” when he went after a ground ball at shortstop. This year that dependability has waned.
In the second inning Tuesday night, Rosario fielded a ball near second base off Manny Machado’s bat. The ball seemed to handcuff Rosario and he never got a throw off on Machado’s infield hit.
“Last year he got so dependable,” said Francona. “When he got to a ball, you’re out. There were some things, going left or right, that (he didn’t get to) that some other guys do. . .OK.
“But it’s nice to know that when that ball is hit to you, you’re out. This year it’s been a little less consistent. Hopefully, as we stay in this warm weather, he’ll be better. You come to appreciate that and need it.”
FanGraphs has Rosario at -8 defensive runs saved. He ended last season at +6.
Francona said MLB’s new rules curtailing the shift could be hampering Rosario.
“With less of the shifting, he’s been on the move more,” said Francona. “Which may not, necessarily, be his strength.”
No. 2. Testing, testing
Right-hander Cal Quantrill threw his first bullpen session Wednesday since going on the injured list with a sore right shoulder on May 31.
Quantrill is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Saturday.
Andres Gimenez was back in the lineup at second base on Wednesday night. He left Sunday’s game and did not start Tuesday with of a sore left hamstring.
“It’s getting better,” said Gimenez.
No. 3. Another lefty
The Padres will send lefty Ryan Weathers (1-4, 4.93) to the mound Thursday against the Guardians. Schedule starter Yu Darvish will pitch Friday.
The Guardians are 10-13 against left-handed starters this season.
Ryan Weathers is the son of former big-league pitcher Dave Weathers, who pitched for Cleveland in 1997.
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