Yankee Stadium brings out best in Zunino

NEW YORK -- Mariners catcher Mike Zunino had a career-high four hits in Tuesday's 6-3 victory over the Yankees, becoming the second-youngest player to record four or more hits in his first game at Yankee Stadium.

Zunino, 23, snapped an 0-for-13 streak with a 4-for-5 day that raised his batting average from .235 to .274. Only 14 other players had posted four-plus hits in their Yankee Stadium debuts, and the only one younger was Wayne Ambler, who was 22 with the Philadelphia A's when he went 5-for-5 against the Yankees on May 13, 1938.

Manager Lloyd McClendon said the effort was all the more impressive given Zunino had been sick with the flu for two days prior and it wasn't certain if he'd be able to play until earlier in the day on Tuesday.

"Considering he wasn't playing at full strength, it was pretty good on his part," McClendon said with a smile. "Maybe he should play sick all the time."