Pence: ‘I’m starting to get my rhythm’

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Hunter Pence’s swing is kind of like the color pattern on a Jackson Pollock painting. Any lay person trying to make sense of it quickly will be in the market for two aspirin and a hot compress over the eyes.

What’s important is, Pence understands his swing, and he has felt better about it since he took an .056 average into his final at-bat against the Angels on Saturday and singled. In his first at-bat Sunday, Pence hit a first-pitch grand slam to ignite a 5-4 victory over the Padres.

“I’m feeling a lot better about my path and my balance,” Pence said.

His path in 2018 is unclear. He is ticketed to be the Opening Day left fielder as he completes the five-year, $90 million deal he signed on the final day of the 2013 season.

Younger players such as Chris Shaw, Austin Slater and Mac Williamson are nipping at his heels. If Steven Duggar emerges as the everyday center fielder at any point of the season, Austin Jackson surely will get starts in left.

Pence, who turns 35 on April 13, knows that getting his body into proper shape is paramount. He believes he has checked that box. Now, he needs to rediscover his timing in time for the season opener against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on March 29.

Pence had experimented with a closed stance this spring to improve his balance after feeling “jumpy” and “wobbly” at the plate. But he sees the ball better with an open stance and said he went back to it in time for his single against the Angels.

In the first inning Sunday, a wild Luis Perdomo left a fastball up and Pence crushed it over the fence in left-center for his third hit and first extra-base hit of the spring — no Arizona cheapie. He was glad to see it leave the yard.

“It matters, these games. We’re competing,” said Pence, who sounds less concerned with his .143 average (3-for-21) than anyone else.

“A lot of these pitchers, they come in ready,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve got to be real and get your work in. This was my third game in a row. I’m starting to get my rhythm. It’s still a work in progress.”

Briefly: The first cuts of spring are expected Monday as games are set to begin in minor-league camp . ... Johnny Cueto likely will pitch in one of those games Wednesday rather than face the Mariners for the second time in six nights. He is expected to face them in the first home series of the regular season.