Pence's Return, Nunez's Introduction Spark Giants in Win

It had been nearly two months since Hunter Pence suited up for the orange and black, but following a successful healing process and rehab assignment, the fan favorite made his way back into his usual spot in right field at AT&T Park.

Pence was one of the first players out of the dugout when the San Francisco Giants took the field, and before he could reach the infield dirt near second base, the San Francisco faithful filled the stadium with thunderous cheers, welcoming the All-Star back with open arms.

AT&T was arguably louder when Pence stepped into the batter's box for his first at-bat, as nearly all of the 41,743 in attendance stood to welcome one of the key cogs who helped bring two World Series titles back to San Francisco.

The right fielder almost brought down the house in the second inning, carrying the momentum of seven hot games for San Francisco's minor-league affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, into his first at-bat back in the bigs by doubling off the top of the left field wall.

Even the energy which came with a star making his return to the diamond couldn’t get the Giants to break their post-All-Star Game habits, as the team’s woes with runners in scoring position continued.

On the afternoon, the team only had two hits in 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position, and, just as luck had it for San Francisco, one of those hits wasn’t able to bring home a runner.

While the return of one Giant may not have been enough to spark the Giants, the introduction of a new member to the orange and black was just what the doctor ordered for the struggling squad.

The only other hit with ducks on the pond came from leadoff batter Eduardo Nunez, who the Giants recently acquired from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for San Francisco’s No. 10 prospect, Adalberto Mejia.

Nunez started off his day with his new ball club with a leadoff single in the bottom of the first, then stole second on the second pitch of Ángel Pagán’s at-bat, producing as advertised to add on to his American League-leading 27 steals.

After looking characteristic of the rest of the San Francisco offense by popping out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, the shortstop properly introduced himself to his new fanbase by roping an opposite field two-run double in the bottom of the fourth, cutting a then three-run deficit to only one.

The All-Star shortstop’s two-run double gave the Giants the jolt they needed to complete the comeback, as in the same inning, Ángel Pagán grounded out to first to drive in Mac Williamson and tie the game up a three apiece.

Buster Posey also fired up the Giants on the defensive end, throwing out two runners, including a perfect strike in the eight innings to Nunez to throw out Harper.

By catching two more attempted base-stealers, Posey raised his caught stealing percentage to 48.8%, which leads all catchers in baseball.

San Francisco rallied in the bottom of the seventh and was able to capitalize with runners in scoring position, albeit those runs did not come across the plate due to a base hit.

Joe Panik hit a booming sacrifice fly into the right-center field gap to which not even the strong arm of Bryce Harper would have a chance of throwing out the runner at third.

Trevor Brown then drew a bases loaded walk, giving the Giants an insurance run and, eventually, the last run of the game.

Following the decision to yank Jake Peavy from the game after only four innings of work and 74 pitches for Williamson as a pinch-hitter, Bruce Bochy handed the ball over to the bullpen, which has done an excellent job as a collective unit even when all else has seemed loss.

In five innings of work, the bullpen, once again, shunned the Nationals, holding them scoreless while allowing four total runners on-base. Javier Lopez walked the only batter he faced, but it was the one and only batter he has walked in the month of July.

Bochy handed the ball to Casilla to close out the game and the closer shut the door on Washington with ease, setting down the three batters he faced with not much of a problem.

Peavy was adequate in his four innings of work, striking out seven Nationals, but having a high pitch count inning after inning.

Bochy’s decision to sub in Williamson so early may have been motivated by the desperateness to put some runs on the board. The choice ended up working in San Francisco’s favor, as the right fielder would draw a walk and score via the Pagán ground out.

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