NEW YORK -- One of the reasons the Astros are sticking with outfielder Jake Marisnick despite his offensive struggles this year is because of the kind of spectacular play he made in the first inning of Wednesday night's 5-3 loss to the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Marisnick, starting in center field, made a five-star catch to rob Giancarlo Stanton of a base hit. Marisnick covered 63 feet in 3.8 seconds, according to Statcast™, and extended to come up with the ball. Aaron Hicks scored from third on the play, but that was the only blemish against starter Dallas Keuchel in the first.
"He's fast, and he makes up a lot of ground even if he doesn't get a good jump," Keuchel said. "Any time it gets hit to center field or any outfielder, I feel pretty good. That was a nice play, for sure."
With two outfielders on the disabled list -- Derek Fisher and Josh Reddick -- Marisnick remains in the lineup despite a season in which he's hit .149 and struck out 51 times in his first 101 at-bats. His elite defense and speed on the bases make him a valuable weapon.