Saints catcher Chris Williams was a conspicuous participant for the second straight game Friday night at CHS Field.
While Thursday’s performance fell under the heading of “The Wild and the Wacky,” Williams was back to doing what he is best known for on Friday — hitting the long ball and driving in
runs.
Williams hit a pair of solo home runs and added a two-run single as the Saints beat the Gwinnett Stripers 11-5.
“I’ve been waiting for a day like that for a long time,” Williams said. “I’m not afraid to say I’ve been struggling a little bit this year. You want to do good every day, but there’s a guy on the other side of the field trying to do the same thing.
“You’ve got to keep pushing, keep trying to get better. Even when you don’t want to you’ve just got to keep putting that work in. It’s nice to see that pay off.”
Williams is among a handful of Saints hitters who have had a rough go of it to start the season.
When catcher Jair Camargo was activated from the injured list on June 11, Williams was taken off the active roster and placed on the development list.
“It hurts, but at the end of the day you’ve just got to keep doing your thing,” Williams said. “Your career in baseball doesn’t last forever, and when stuff like that happens it’s time to push the gas pedal down.”
Williams admitted that his confidence took a big hit.
“Baseball beats you up every day,” he said. “I’m glad I have a lot of good friends I can lean on. I messaged some old teammates to get their perspective. Some of the guys from last year, like Elliot Soto, who is a really good friend of mine.
“Just talking to him and trying to get myself to settle down. When you start going bad things speed up. And then you have no chance.”
Williams’ batting average is still an anemic .192, but he’s making better contact of late and the power has returned.
“Earlier in the year, I was just trying to make better contact,” Williams said, “I think that kind of caused me to not take my best swing. When you’re struggling as much as I was, sometimes you just have to say, ‘Screw it,’ and take your best swing every chance you can.
“So that was the biggest thing — how comfortable can I be in the box — and try to swing at the best pitches.”
Williams made a rare start in left field on Friday night, and three batters into the game he made a leaping grab at the wall to take away a two-run home run. Before the inning was over he found himself on the mound, with starting pitcher Louie Varland temporarily taking his place in left.
“That was crazy,” Williams said. “That was the first time I’ve ever pitched in the minor leagues. It was fun, though. I don’t want it to become a habit; I want to keep hitting.”
Williams said he knew something was up when Varland’s pitch count continued to climb and no one was warming up in the bullpen. Williams emerged as the best candidate because Gwinnett had three left-handed hitters coming up and they weren’t likely to hit the ball to left field.
“When hitters face position players, they’re up there hacking,” Williams said. “They’re swings as hard as they can.”
Briefly
Edouard Julien hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning and drove in four runs on Friday.
Former Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves after being released by Washington on Wednesday, and was in the Stripers’ lineup. Rosario tripled in the third inning and finished 1 for 4.
The Saints will throw a bullpen game on Saturday, with Burnsville’s Aaron Rozek serving as the opener.
