Bochy sticking by Pence
SAN DIEGO — Manager Bruce Bochy considered giving Hunter Pence the day off Friday, then reconsidered. Not because it was Pence’s 35th birthday but because he had two hits Thursday against San Diego and Bochy wanted to let him keep swinging.
Pence has struggled offensively, like most of the Giants’ everyday players not named Buster Posey and Joe Panik, but will be given a prolonged opportunity to produce.
Bochy has a soft spot in his heart for Pence, who helped the Giants win two World Series titles but saw his OPS drop considerably last year. This year, Pence moved to left field to make room for right fielder Andrew McCutchen. Pence is hitting .200 after going 0-for-4 Friday.
“You see him every day how he is,” Bochy said. “He’s such a great person, along with being a great teammate. He works so hard . ... He’s getting a little bit older, 35 now. You do pull for him to beat Father Time.”
During his pregame media session, Bochy wished Pence a happy birthday. Pence responded by saying Bochy has a birthday coming up; the manager turns 63 on Monday.
On days Pence rests, Bochy might sometimes move first baseman Brandon Belt to left and play Pablo Sandoval at first. Williamson hot: Outfielder Mac Williamson, who had a solid spring training, might eventually force a promotion from Triple-A Sacramento. In his first at-bat Friday, he hit his third home run in three games. He’s 12-for-25 (.480).
Reliever Derek Law, who was called up Thursday, said Williamson has a confident aura these days and noted that in a recent one-sided game, Williamson made two outs when position players were pitching.
“He can only hit off pitchers, I guess,” Law said. “That’s the secret.” Briefly: Reliever Will Smith came out fine from his first rehab assignment with Class A San Jose, where he threw 17 pitches. Smith, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will pitch once more for San Jose on Sunday. He’s due to join the Giants on May 1 . ... Jeff Samardzija (strained pectoral muscle) will make a rehab start for San Jose on Saturday . ... Johnny Cueto (sprained ankle) will face hitters Saturday, and the team hopes he can come off the disabled list and start Tuesday’s game in Arizona.