Maikel Franco committed three errors in the series finale with the Pittsburgh Pirates in PNC Park this past Sunday.
Franco, 29, who signed a minor league deal in D.C. this winter after playing 104 games for Baltimore’s Orioles in 2021 (22 doubles, 11 HRs, .210/.253/.355 line, .962 fld% in 99 games at third base), is not known for his defense, but he fought the ball all day in the 5-3 loss in the fourth of four with the Bucs.
After bobbling a grounder hit his way with a runner on first in the bottom of the second, as he was seemingly thinking double play before cleanly fielding it, Franco rushed a throw and sailed it for two of his three errors on the day, then he booted a ground ball to third base in the first at-bat of what ended up a long sixth starter Patrick Corbin couldn’t escape.