Rays’ Wander Franco makes incredible bare-handed catch against Astros

Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Wander Franco made an amazing defensive play Monday night in a game against the Houston Astros.

In the fifth inning with Martín Maldonado at the plate, the Astros slugger hit the ball into foul territory. Franco ran down the field and went into foul territory to track down the ball. He appeared to have missed catching the ball with his glove and instead reached for the ball with his bare hand.

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When Franco’s drive stopped, he was near the left field fence, about 315 feet below the third base line.

The Rays would win the game, 8-3. Franco went 4-for-5 with an RBI.

Franco is at the start of his third full season with Tampa Bay. The Rays got off to a good start, winning their first 13 games before losing their first against the Toronto Blue Jays. Tampa Bay entered the game against Houston with a 19-3 record.

Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco, right, celebrates with teammate Christian Bethancourt after scoring against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, April 24, 2023, in St. Petersburg. , fl. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

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Through 21 games, Franco was hitting .289 with a .908 OPS and four home runs. He went 24-for-83 at the plate and has 11 runs scored.

Franco only played in 83 games during the 2022 regular season. He was sidelined with a strained quadriceps and then needed to recover from hand surgery midway through the year. He ended up hitting .277 with a .746 OPS and six home runs.

Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates in the dugout after scoring against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, April 24, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

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It will be key for the Rays and their playoff hopes this season.