Gillaspie looking for hits

LOS ANGELES — Conor Gillaspie had a rough time early in 2016, his first year back with the Giants. In one four-week stretch over May and June, he went hitless in 22 at-bats to drop his average to .140, with more than a few hard-hit balls that found gloves.

It happened again this year. The Giants’ top pinch-hitter started 4-for-26. He played third base in Friday night’s game against the Padres at AT&T Park, hit four balls hard and settled for one hit. After ripping a ball to the second baseman, who was stationed in the outfield in a shift, Gillaspie shook his head as he walked back to the dugout.

Gillaspie’s 2016 story got a lot better. After that 0-for-22, he hit .297 with an .831 OPS and became a postseason hero, hitting the three-run homer that beat the Mets in the wildcard game and a triple against the Cubs’ Aroldis Chapman in the Giants’ lone Division Series win.

Gillaspie is not sure that last year’s experience, emerging from the darkness to have a good year, can help him now.

“I don’t know if it ever helps,” Gillaspie said. “There’s nothing that ever feels good about hitting four balls on the screws and getting one hit. It’s never easy.”

Gillaspie’s optimism derives from a significant defensive improvement after extensive work with infield coach Ron Wotus last year. Gillaspie believes his defense will buy him more starts and, equally significant, persuade manager Bruce Bochy not to remove him for a better defensive player late in games.

“As the course of the year goes on, the pinch-hitting role will become more and more comfortable simply with the fact that I’m in there a little bit more,” Gillaspie said. “If you can get three or four at-bats in a game, that can sustain a feel for the pinch-hitting side of this that can last a few more days.”

A night after his frustrating 1-for-4 against the Padres, Gillaspie started again and had two hits. He entered Wednesday’s game at .194. Medical center: Bochy said he doubts the Giants will let shortstop Brandon Crawford return from a groin strain when eligible Saturday if he is not 100 percent healthy because of the rigors of the position and baserunning. Crawford is taking batting practice with the team and taking grounders. … Utilityman Aaron Hill (forearm strain) flew to Arizona to continue his rehab. Center fielder Denard Span (sternoclavicular sprain) will join him Friday. Bochy said neither is healing as quickly as expected.