Stanton usually produces playing in California

SAN FRANCISCO -- A strained right hamstring prevented Giancarlo Stanton from traveling with the Marlins to Los Angeles in early May. Once again healthy, the 23-year-old slugger is finally able to play in his home state, even if it is not his hometown.

Stanton, from Thousand Oaks, Calif., welcomes the chance to play at San Francisco's AT&T Park, a place he has batted .400 with four homers and 11 RBIs entering Thursday's series opener vs. the Giants.

On Thursday, Stanton had a couple of family members at the stadium -- his father and brother.

"It's still California," he said. "Just having my brother and dad here, it's little things like that that bring me back to when I was 5, 10, 12, sitting in the stands, too. It's the same game."

Since coming off the disabled list, Stanton has been hot, batting .343 with four homers and 10 RBIs in nine games.

"At the beginning of the season, he was expanding the zone and swinging at some pitches that were way out of the strike zone," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's much better locked into the strike zone."