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Tito hopes leadoff duty ignites Santana’s bat
- Updated: April 23, 2016
DETROIT — Terry Francona does not know how long Carlos Santana will serve as the leadoff hitter, but the Indians’ manager is not ready to pull the plug on the experiment.
Santana made his first career appearance out of the leadoff spot in Friday’s 2-1 win over Detroit and went 2-for-4 with a home run and double, while averaging 4.5 pitches per plate appearance. It was a strong enough showing to convince Francona to keep the switch-hitting first baseman atop the order for Saturday’s game, and perhaps for a while longer.
“Again, I don’t think Carlos is going to be a leadoff hitter the rest of his career,” Francona said on Saturday morning. “But, I also think that he can do some things that are pretty special as a leadoff hitter that can change a game.”
This is not unfamiliar territory for Francona.
When he was the manager of the Red Sox in 2006, Francona installed Kevin Youkilis in the leadoff spot for the same reasons as Santana. Youkilis had a keen eye and great on-base ability, leading Francona to believe he would be a great fit in the No. 1 role. In 95 starts as Boston’s leadoff man, …
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