WASHINGTON -- An established veteran at all times needs to make a great impression and develop belief when he joins his new crew.

Former Rays backstop Mike Zunino additionally has earned the respect of his new teammates along with his play within the first month of this season.

In the sequence finale, Zunino collected two hits, together with a double and a run scored, whereas guiding starter Shane Bieber by some rocky innings. The catcher is now 5-for-10 in his final 4 video games, with 4 doubles and 4 walks.

Zunino performed six seasons with the Mariners and 4 with Tampa Bay earlier than signing a free-agent cope with Cleveland on Dec. 15. He led off the third with a double and got here round to attain the primary of 4 runs off of Nats starter Patrick Corbin, serving to to finally flip a 2-0 deficit right into a 4-2 benefit.

The veteran backstop was additionally concerned in a play that ended up altering the sport. With the Guardians main 6-5 within the eighth inning, Zunino was known as for blocking the plate whereas making an attempt to tag Stone Garrett on an in depth play at dwelling. Home-plate umpire Ryan Blakney had initially dominated Garrett out on the tag, earlier than video assessment overturned the decision.

"I felt like I got it,” Zunino said of the tag. “I wasn't sure. His foot first contacted my foot. So I don't know what part of his body would've touched the plate. But it's one of those where [it's] just a baseball play that I haven't personally seen gone that way, and its pretty crummy to see it get dissected down to that point, because I don't know if there's any other play you could do to not just give him the plate."

"I understand why they do it. I still think it puts the catcher in a tough spot because the game is going fast,” manager Terry Francona said. “[Zunino’s] contention is, when he saw the hop, he maneuvers to make the play, and I really understand that. I don't think when you slow it down that is fair to the player."

Despite permitting at the very least one hit in every of his first 5 innings, Bieber restricted the Nats to a few runs. He struck out 4 and walked one over six frames.

"They were aggressive early, especially slider, cutter,” Bieber said. “Didn't execute very well at all, especially early. Ended up making an adjustment, which proved to be the right adjustment, just a little too late. More hard inside and fastballs in, a little bit more fastball aggressive and, on a day like today with the heat, it was coming out a little bit better. I would've liked to make that change earlier. That's on me."

Bieber relied on Zunino’s recommendation as they made changes to remain within the recreation.

“[Zunino] and I have a great connection going early on, and we've got communication constantly throughout games, especially in the early innings today,” Bieber stated. “The communication and sort of grinding out innings and outings with him has been enjoyable from the beginning."

Alongside Zunino’s play, the decrease third of the Guardians' lineup confirmed effectively in all three video games. Will Brennan tallied 4 hits, with two doubles and three RBIs. Myles Straw related on 4 singles and one double, with two RBIs and two runs scored.

"That's what you're supposed to do,” Francona said of Brennan’s play this weekend. "That's not shocking. He is aggressive. He doesn't give in. 'Competitive' is the very best phrase I may use for his at-bats. 

“Myles has been playing with a ton of energy and helping us turn the lineup over, so that's good.”

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