By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Monday, July 25, 2016

zimbio.com: San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy is looking to get the club back on track as he stated in a pre game interview on Monday night

SAN FRANCISCO – Giants Manager Bruce Bochy had an interesting reaction laced with his trademark dry humor when asked about the Chicago Cubs acquisition Monday of closer Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees.

“I wish they’d made that deal three days sooner,” Bochy said, referring to the San Francisco’s lackluster road trip, resulting in a 1-7 record in their last eight games against San Diego, Boston and the Yanks. “All I can say is that the Cubs got a really good one. He’s a quality closer; one of the best.”

Addressing the eight-game skid, Bochy pointed out, “that’s baseball. All teams go through these stretches. It’s frustrating, but we haven’t played well defensively and haven’t been hitting the ball. But remember, we saw some good pitching during that stretch as well.”

The conversation that preceded the Giants’ Monday game against visiting Cincinnati duck tailed into what San Francisco may or may not do with the August 1 non-waiver trading deadline fast approaching.

“Our GM (Brian Sabean) is out there kicking the tires on a few things, but there’s nothing so far,” Bochy said, noting that some of the injured Giants are set to return in the next few days.

Bochy added, “Truth is, we can’t be concerned about what other teams are doing at the deadline. As a rule, we try not to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. We’re more focused on what we need to do right here.”

Hunter Pence, who’s been on the DL for two months with a torn hamstring, is ready to begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento (“He’s about a week away,” Bochy said.). Bochy said Joe Panik (concussion issues) “is a little ahead of schedule” and will start his rehab assignment with the River Cats soon.

Matt Duffy (strained left Achilles) has been on the DL and is currently on a rehab program.

Before adjourning, Bochy was asked about new Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, who he managed at San Diego in 2006.

“Mike and I go back to the minor leagues when I started managing and it seemed like we were on the same paths. When I had him in San Diego, he was a great teammate and helped us win that division. He had amazing natural power,” Bochy said. “When I was managing in the (2000) All-Star Game in Boston, Mike came up to me and said, ‘If you want me to go nine (innings), I’ll go nine. I’m here to help us win.

“I thought Mike was a good teammate, and he’s a good person.”

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