Carlos

Ruiz

The Phillies got nothing at all from the catcher position while Mike Lieberthal was out. Ruiz was just 5-for-35 with one RBI while sharing time. Sal Fasano’s last RBI came on April 25.

Ruiz was called up before the game to replace the injured Sal Fasano. He was 5-for-35 with no extra-base hits during his first stint with the Phillies in May.

Ruiz will share time with Chris Coste behind the plate until the Phillies get either Mike Lieberthal or Sal Fasano back. He might have a little short-term value in two-catcher NL-only leagues.

He’s batting just .220 with just four RBI in 21 games this season. Ruiz will get a couple of starts per week until Mike Lieberthal (back) is ready to return.

Ruiz entered this evening just three for his past 20. Ruiz’s .756 OPS is nowhere near the .847 mark he posted last season, but still better than you would usually expect from a catcher. He should remain an excellent option in NL-only leagues and two-catcher mixed formats in 2012.

Chooch’s 11th inning two-bagger off of Sergio Romo was the Phillies’ only extra-base hit of the evening. It was also only Ruiz’s third extra-base hit of the season, but he’s sporting a solid .306/.341/.472 triple slash. If all you’re looking for out of the catcher spot is a player who won’t hurt you, Ruiz remains your man.

Ruiz got the scoring started for the Phillies with a two-run single in the fourth inning, then tacked on a solo homer in the sixth inning off Michael Bowden to extend the Phillies’ lead. Ruiz has continued to improve as a hitter as he ages, and is off to a fine start in 2012 hitting .311 with three homers and eight RBI.

Ruiz finished the game 3-for-3, scoring twice and plating three. He’s been on an absolute tear to begin the season, hitting .340 with six homers and 22 RBI. He only had six home runs and 40 RBI all of last season. While he obviously can’t keep up this pace, he’s turned himself into one of the better offensive catchers in the league and should remain a fantasy asset throughout the season.

Ruiz finished with .182 averages each of the last two springs (he went 6-for-33 in 2010 and 8-for-44 last year). It doesn’t look like he’ll make it three in a row, as he’s gone 3-for-5 already.

He scored the Phillies’ lone run in the second inning, as Philadelphia netted only eight runs in the four-game series. His batting average now stands at .273.