April 28, 2015: A.J. Pierzynski
Christian Bethancourt’s first try at taking the Braves’ full-time catching job is not going too well, and it’s not all his fault. Bethancourt is hitting just .147, but his lpaying time is being stolen out frmo under him by A.J. Pierzynski, who is white-hot. With a 4 for 4 performance Tuesday night, Pierzynski is up to .439/.458/.732 on the season, with 3 HR and 12 RBI in just 11 games.
Last night Pierzynski became the first catcher in nearly two years to reach base 5 times in a game while collecting at least 4 hits and 4 RBI. Joe Mauer and Jonathan Lucroy each did it in 2013, with Lucroy going 5-5 with 2 HR. Overall it was the 82nd time a catcher did it since 1914, and Pierzynski’s second time. He also did it in 2006 with the White Sox.
