San Francisco Giants

If Matt Moore were to find his way, the Giants would have something exciting to show for what is shaping up as a rough season.

Moore’s next outing, Friday at the St. Louis Cardinals, should provide interesting clues. The left-hander will be coming off a much-needed showing in which he allowed the Cincinnati Reds one run in 7 1⁄3 innings, lowering his ERA to 5.67.

The Giants made a long-term play last summer when they got Moore in a trade that sent Matt Duffy, Lucius Fox and Michael Santos to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The thinking was that Moore, with the advantage of a pitchers’ league and a pitchers’ ballpark, would regain the 2013 form that made him an All-Star. He is, at 27, tied with Madison

Bumgarner as the youngest of the Giants’ top four starting pitchers. Team options for 2018 and 2019, at $9 million and $10 million, would be bargains if Moore gets back on track.

Moore can show three good pitches, starting with a low-90s fastball he said he must learn not to overthrow. He’d like to reduce his career walk ratio of 3.8 per nine innings.

A balky left hamstring sent right fielder Hunter Pence to the disabled list. Manager Bruce Bochy praised outfield prospect Austin Slater, but he’s not on the 40-man roster. Instead, Mac Williamson was called up from Class AAA Sacramento (Calif.).