Astros catcher Kevin Cash (right) worked well behind the plate for starter Brett Myers (left) in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park, thus drawing high praise from manager Brad Mills. (AP Photo)
HOUSTON -- Astros manager Brad Mills spent time prior to Thursday night's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks praising the significance of veteran catcher Kevin Cash behind the plate in Wednesday's dramatic 4-2 win, which snapped an eight-game losing skid.
The 32-year-old Cash, a journeyman big league catcher, replaced starter J.R. Towles on the active roster Tuesday night when the Astros purchased his contract from Triple-A Round Rock.
He didn't waste any time prior to Wednesday's victory fitting right into the clubhouse while preparing a game plan with pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and starter Brett Myers.
Although Cash struck out in both plate appearances, he lived up to his reputation for calling a good game, which contributed to Myers' stellar seven innings of work.
"I thought Cash did really well," Mills said. "Myers only shook him off three times on the night. He's a quick study on their (Arizona's) hitters."
Throughout his big league career, Cash has been mentored by Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada while learning how to properly catch top-notch pitchers such as Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, Curt Schilling, CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Roy Halladay, Jonathan Papelbon and Mariano Rivera.
"Cash has been on championship teams playing behind outstanding catchers," Mills said. "Varitek is the best at working with people, talking to pitchers and working with the other catchers on the Red Sox roster.
"He really helped Cash out a lot when I was coaching in Boston. Varitek gives great feedback and that experience Cash gained is immeasurable."
Mills also made reference to the veteran catcher's intensity and preparation tactics.
"Cash is that type of individual whose way of preparing is special," Mills said. "We know him from the past. He has always been a quick study and he's already preparing ahead for the San Diego series this weekend. He takes pride in what he does behind the plate.
"He's such a great teammate. The way he walked into the clubhouse on Wednesday, it was like he'd been here all year long. If he could hit a little more, his value would go through the roof, which is not a knock on him."
At this point, Mills intends to work Cash into the mix along with backup catcher Humberto Quintero.
"We might use Cash more than he's been used in the past," Mills added. "But we don't plan on overusing him."
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