Cameron Rupp taking advantage of more playing time
Cameron Rupp caught all nine innings of Monday night's 11-8 Phillies win, the catcher's third start in four games.
NEW YORK — Cameron Rupp caught all nine innings of Monday night's 11-8 Phillies win, the catcher's third start in four games.
"To see him in there a little more often," manager Ryne Sandberg had said earlier Monday, "I think he’s earned that right."
Rupp, 26, has taken advantage of his recent increased playing time. He continued that trend Monday against the New York Yankees. His two-hit effort marked his fourth multi-hit performance in his last seven games.
With singles in each of his first two at-bats - in the second inning off righthander Michael Pineda and in the fourth off lefthander Chris Capuano - Rupp increased his average to .265 over 83 at-bats. Longtime starter Carlos Ruiz is hitting .227 over 163 at-bats.
Rupp has reached base in 19 of his 25 starts. He has 10 hits in his last 27 at-bats and 17 in his last 48.
"I think he’s come a long way, since not only the first of spring training but from the first of the season, as far as being mobile behind the plate," Sandberg said. "He's blocking real well. He's called some good games. He shows a good arm, and he’s added some pop with some swings of the bat. I think his whole game has come a ways."
