By Ben Leonard
Follow @RuleOfTreeBen

SAN FRANCISCO — In the midst of a grueling post-All-Star break slump, the mood was light in the Giants’ clubhouse Friday. Not because they’re satisfied with two wins in as many weeks.

With outfielder Hunter Pence’s return to the clubhouse Friday, there’s plenty of reason for the Giants to be optimistic that this flat-footed slump won’t stretch much longer. Even though Pence can’t return from the disabled list (hamstring surgery) until Saturday, his presence is changing the vibe around a struggling team.

“Just to see him around, he’s such a positive guy,” Bochy said Friday. “He’s got so much energy and is so inspirational that he’s going to give these guys a lift. That being said, we’ve got to get better at some things here, really all facets of the game.”

Pence hopes he can boost a team that has hit just .146 with runners in scoring position and averaged just over three runs per game since the break.

“I play the game with a lot of emotion and a lot of energy, and hopefully I can pour that vibe onto the field and give a little boost,” Pence said. “I’ve come ready to help.”

The former All-Star outfielder hasn’t played in a big league game since June 1st, but appears ready to hit major league pitching. Pence hit .417 with three home runs in a seven-game rehab stint with Triple-A Fresno.

Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said Pence feels ready to go but needs a day off before getting in the lineup. The ultra-competitive outfielder didn’t push Bochy on the decision and has stayed positive throughout the road to recovery.

“I try to deal with it in the most positive light that I can, no matter the situation, and be appreciative of every moment and every journey,” Pence said. “That’s the part of the beauty of the major league journey. It takes everyone.”

Giants acquire Eduardo Nunez from Twins

For Pence, everyone included the front office which brought in and developed parts like Mac Williamson to replace his production. Evidently, management didn’t think Pence’s return alone would be enough to give them the type of team they want heading into a pennant race, acquiring Twins’ infielder Eduardo Nunez on Thursday. In return for his services, the Giants had to part ways with prospect Aldaberto Mejia, ranked tenth in the Giants’ system by Baseball America. 

Nunez, an All-Star and the American League’s stolen base leader (27), brings much-needed depth, underrated power, and speed to a roster that has been hit hard with injuries.

“It’s fair to say, we’re not a power-hitting club,” Bochy said Friday. “This gives us another way to hopefully put some runs across the board by using our speed and as we always say keep the line moving. Speed makes it a little easier to score runs without hitting the ball out of the ballpark, which he can do.”

With the last-place Twins this season, Nunez hit .300, belting 12 home runs and driving in 47 runs. Nunez came up with the New York Yankees as a shortstop, but can handle second or third base in addition to an outfield spot. Nunez is under contract through 2017.

After a late flight into San Francisco, Nunez will be used off the bench Friday against the Nationals and start on Saturday.

Bochy said the acquisition of Nunez doesn’t impact Matt Duffy’s starting role at third base. Duffy has been rehabbing from an Achilles strain, and had a pain-free day of running on Friday. Duffy will likely begin a rehab assignment on Sunday.

The move did spell the end of outfielder Jarrett Parker’s stint with the big league club, as he was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. In 47 games with the Giants this season, Parker hit .248 with five home runs and eleven RBI.

Samardzija set to take on Nationals

In the second game of a four-game set with the Washington Nationals, the Giants will send Jeff Samardzija (9-6, 4.22) to the hill against the Nationals’ Max Scherzer (10-6, 2.92).

Samardzija has struggled of late, posting a 6.32 ERA in his last ten starts. The home run bug that bit Samardzija in 2015 with Chicago has come back with ferocious vengeance, as the right-hander has given up 14 big flies in his last eight games.

Part of those struggles can be attributed to a failure to get left-handed hitters out. Since June 18th, lefties have hit .373 against Samardzija.

Dusty Baker’s Nationals will roll out five left-handed hitters against Samardzija on Friday, including the first three hitters in their order. Those three (Ben Revere, Bryce Harper, and Daniel Murphy) have combined to hit .391 lifetime against Samardzija.

As for Bochy’s lineup, Joe Panik is back and hitting in the three-hole in his second game back from the disabled list. Catcher Buster Posey is taking a scheduled day off after “feeling it a little bit” the day before a day game.

 

Giants lineup:

Denard Span, CF

Angel Pagan, LF

Joe Panik, 2B

Brandon Crawford, SS

Brandon Belt, 1B

Connor Gillaspie, 3B

Gregor Blanco, RF

Trevor Brown, C

Jeff Samardzija, SP

Nationals: 

Ben Revere, CF

Bryce Harper, LF

Daniel Murphy, 2B

Wilson Ramos, C

Jayson Werth, LF

Clint Robinson, 1B

Anthony Rendon, 3B

Wilmer Difo, SS

Max Scherzer, SP

 

Cover image attribution: By Arturo Pardavila III on Flickr [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons