Vogelsong helps Stratton’s mechanics

NEW YORK — When Chris Stratton was last seen on a pitching mound with the Giants, he was giving up six runs on 10 hits in three innings. It was Aug. 3 in Arizona, and it was clear he needed to work on his fastball command.

So he was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento and received lots of help with his mechanics, including from former Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong.

“We have pretty similar upperbody mechanics, and he told me some cues he would do,” Stratton said. “That’s working out pretty well for me. … He’s been through it all.”

Stratton’s pitches were cutting flat across the plate, making them more hittable. He hopes to incorporate what he learned when he returns to the Giants’ rotation Tuesday night against the Mets.

Stratton, a 2012 first-round draft pick, had good results in his two starts with Sacramento: 13 innings, two earned runs, 10 strikeouts, three walks.

“I was getting too rotational with my upper body,” Stratton said. “When you do that, everything gets a little flatter. It’s a little easier to see all your pitches coming out. Just trying to stay a little more closed and being a little more deceptive.”

Stratton still leads the Giants in wins with eight. Black optioned: Reliever Ray Black, who had 10 straight scoreless outings but gave up runs in four of his last five, was optioned to Sacramento. He’ll rest a few days before getting into a game and is expected to rejoin the Giants in September.

“There’s a little concern. We’ve been using Black a lot,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “This will give him a break, with this really being his first year in the major leagues, getting used as much as he’s been getting used. He’s done a great job getting his career on track. He’s dealt with some injuries, and so this will cut back some risk of any kind of injury.”

Derek Law took Black’s bullpen spot. Law worked the final two innings Monday and got the win. Briefly: Dereck Rodriguez, who pulled a hamstring in last Tuesday’s Giants-Dodgers tussle at Dodger Stadium, will come off the disabled list to start Friday’s homestand opener. He threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday . ... The Giants confirmed Casey Kelly will start Wednesday. … Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) will make Wednesday’s rehab start with Double-A Richmond, not Sacramento, as initially scheduled.