Stanton: More work, less talk to snap slump
This browser does not support the video element.
PHOENIX -- Giancarlo Stanton's recent struggles at the plate are hard to ignore, but he's going to try to do it, anyway.
Instead, the slugger is focused on the present, not the past, and he's hopeful the approach will snap him out of his current funk on offense.
"Just keep working at it, stop talking about it, and thinking about it," Stanton said before Friday's 8-6, come-from-behind victory against the D-backs in the first game of the three-game series at Chase Field. "Everyone has the answer and everyone wants a conversation. It's just 'keep working.' That's it."
Stanton smashed a double to the gap in left center field off D-backs starter Patrick Corbin to lead off the seven-run seventh inning that proved to be the difference in the game. The right fielder also struck out when the Marlins batted around later in the same frame, but the extra-base hit was a step in the right direction for a hitter looking to regain his form.
There's still work to do. Stanton finished the 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. He went 0-for-5 on Thursday against the Twins and he's 3-for-19 on the current road trip. Overall, he's batting .198 with a .304 on-base percentage and .428 slugging percentage. He has hit 12 home runs with 29 RBIs.
Stanton has struck out 77 times this season. He struck out 95 times all of last season.
The hitter-friendly confines of Chase Field could still provide a boost to his offense. Stanton has 12 home runs and 34 RBIs against the D-backs since 2010, the most among active players outside of the National League West. Yes, he's 1-for-15 in his last four games in Arizona, but he does have two multi-home run games at Chase Field dating back to '12.
Stanton missed seven games at the end of last month and was unable to get his extra work in during that stretch because of discomfort in his right side. Now, he's returned to his usual routine.
"It seems to be a struggle, that's all. I don't know what else to say about it," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "He's going to be fine and we know that. It's just a matter of time for us."