Carter can slug pitches deep into the stands. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK — Houston Astros manager Bo Porter concedes watching designated hitter Chris Carter strike out multiple times in a game can definitely test his patience.
At the same time, the knowledge that Carter can slug pitches deep into the stands provides a little more leeway.
“I think it makes it that much easier to sticks with a guy that the potential is there and that is working hard and you’re saying to yourself if it all comes together, you got a pretty special player,” Porter said Wednesday before the Astros’ 5-2 win over the New York Yankees.
Carter went 0-for-4 and struck out three times.
The 27-year-old California native has 136 strikeouts to go along with his 29 home runs, but in some of the clutch areas, he is improving.
Last year with two outs, he had 68 of his 212 strikeouts, but this season with two outs, he has only 46 K’s. Last year with runners in scoring position, Carter had 57 strikeouts, but this year, the total is 27. Last year with men on base, Carter had 92 strikeouts, and this year he has 51.
“I think it’s definitely a part of who he is,” Porter said. “I think he’s done a better job of cutting down some of those critical strikeouts in critical situations where he could just put the ball in play and get an RBI. You look at his strikeouts as a whole, I think because of the fact that he shortened his swing, (they are lower), and he understands what the league is trying to do to him.”
