Mariners Noon Number: Mike Zunino back in another extended slump

Mike Zunino had a month to remember in June, slugging 11 homers with 33 RBIs to go along with a .290/.353/.654 slash line from the time he came back from the minors through the end of the month, a period of 30 games.

It looked like his days of struggling against big league pitchers was going to a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, not so fast, my friends.

The enigmatic catcher came back to Earth in a big way in July, mustering a .188/.278/.453 line with five homers and eight RBIs over 21 games and 72 plate appearances. The lack of contact is jarring, with 28 strikeouts over the period.

In Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Royals, Zunino went 0 for 3 with two more strikeouts and left two runners in scoring position.

Now, he hit in some bad luck – Zunino’s BABiP for the 21 games was .226, whereas the MLB average is usually right around .300. And the five homers still shows a good bit of pop.

But once again, just when Zunino looked like he was breaking out and putting all that bad mojo behind him, he goes on another extended slump where he’s an anchor to the offense.

Will the real Mike Zunino please, once and for all, stand up?