It’s safe to say the first two years after Juan Uribe signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers were a complete disaster.
After hitting 24 home runs with 85 RBI in 2010 for the San Francisco Giants in their championship season, Uribe headed a bit farther south. But he would end up totaling just six home runs in his first two seasons, hitting just .199 in the process.
Now, in his third and final season, Uribe is finally living up to his contract, hitting a more robust .271 with seven home runs and 40 RBI entering Monday’s game with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Uribe added greatly to his offensive output within his first three at-bats against Arizona. He belted three solo shots, the first two off of starter Randall Delgado and the third off of reliever Eury De La Rosa.
Uribe’s epic night leaves him with 10 home runs and 44 RBI, almost matching the production he provided in his first two years with the Dodgers.
In fact, Uribe’s huge offensive output was not lost on Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times.
His big night prompted this factoid from ESPN as well.
Fans on Twitter weren’t just shocked by Uribe’s power display, they were blown away.
Ironically, Uribe’s night ended with an infield single, something also not normally seen from the not-so-svelte third baseman.
Production at third base had been seriously lacking for the Dodgers for much of the season, especially with Luis Cruz starting the season hitting just .145 with zero home runs while manning the hot corner.
Uribe’s production has certainly been a bright spot for a position that’s seen nothing but disappointment. And to think Uribe started the season on the bench behind Cruz.
All videos courtesy of MLB Advanced Media via MLB.com.
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