SAN FRANCISCO — A little more than 12 hours after the fact, it’s still hard to fathom what transpired in the eighth inning last night. Part of that stems from history. It was the first-ever triple play of it’s kind (3-3-5), but players like Trevor Brown and Joe Panik said they’ve never been a part of, or even seen one happen.
It’s easy for a play like that to sap the energy from a battle-tested clubhouse, but the Giants have the best possible antidote at their disposal on Saturday. Hunter Pence was activated off the disabled list and inserted into the heart of the lineup. Infielder Ramiro Peña was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Pence, who missed 48 games after getting surgery on his right hamstring.
The Giants went 26-22 in the stretch, with many of the 26 wins banked on the earlier side of his rehab. Now Pence needs to give the Giants a boost. It’s another positive sign for the team on the injury front, but the everyday lineup couldn’t get by completely unscathed. The complete order is posted below.
Denard Span is out with sore quad, so new Giant Eduardo Nunez takes over the leadoff spot. He was expected to mostly play third while Matt Duffy begins his rehab in Sacramento, but Nunez is playing shortstop while Brandon Crawford sits with a bruised hand. The shortstop sustained the injury on a swing in Friday night’s 4-1 loss.
More lineup changes include new No. 3 hitter Conor Gillaspie, while Bochy wants to let Panik find his swing in the seven-hole. Really, there’s no reason to stop mixing a few things up until the Giants’ fortunes turn.
–Bochy is going to build in off-days for Pence to gradually work him back. Sounds like he’ll play two out of every three games.
–Duffy is going to play the next three games in Triple-A Sacramento, then move to Double-A Richmond to follow the Giants toward the east coast. They want him close by in case he’s needed as an emergency call-up.
–Bochy spoke to Blanco about a play in the fourth inning on Friday. Jayson Werth lined a single into right field with the Nationals catcher running on second. Blanco seemed to hesitate for a moment throwing home, and the resulting toss sailed wide of home plate as Wilson Ramos slid in. Bochy said Blanco’s knee has been bothering him a bit, and he compounded the mistake by overshooting the cutoff man, allowing Werth to take second base.
“It’s something we have to get better at,” Bochy said of his team’s outfield play. “That’s a big part of the game.”
He’s right, and the Giants can hardly afford any mental mistakes right now with a struggling offense.
Giants lineup vs. Reynaldo Lopez
SS – Eduardo Nunez
LF – Angel Pagan
3B – Conor Gillaspie
C – Buster Posey
RF – Hunter Pence
1B – Brandon Belt
2B – Joe Panik
CF – Gregor Blanco
SP – Jake Peavy
Nationals lineup vs. Jake Peavy
2B – Trea Turner
CF – Ben Revere
RF – Bryce Harper
3B – Anthony Rendon
LF – Jayson Wertg
1B – Ryan Zimmerman
SS – Danny Espinosa
C – Pedro Severino
RHP – Reynaldo Lopez
