Duffy dominates at plate in Giants' victory
Third baseman homers as part of three-hit, three-RBI day vs. Mariners
SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants third baseman Matt Duffy went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored to help San Francisco beat Seattle, 6-2, on Tuesday. The win marked San Francisco's first at AT&T Park since beating Atlanta, 4-2, on May 29.
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Duffy's three RBIs matched the Giants' total runs scored in the previous four games on the homestand entering Tuesday.
The rookie got the Giants on the board in the second inning, crushing a J.A. Happ fastball on a 2-2 count into the left-field bleachers. Duffy then hit a soft fly ball that dropped between center fielder James Jones and second baseman Robinson Cano to extend the Giants' lead in the eighth.
Video: SEA@SF: Duffy scores Posey with a single in the 8th
"He's a ballplayer," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "This kid, runs well, I think he's getting better and better at third base. I just love the way he competes at the plate."
Duffy added a single in the fourth in what was his third three-hit game of the year.
Video: SEA@SF: Duffy delivers single for superfan 'Duffman'
Duffy had a brief stint with San Francisco last May, but stuck with the Giants for good after receiving a callup on Aug. 1. He struggled in August, but started to find his footing in September, a month in which he hit .364 in limited action.
"It's nice to know you're going to be in the lineup more [often] than not," Duffy said. "I still go up to the plate with the same approach -- just trying to put together a good at-bat and do something to help the team win."
This season Duffy has been a linchpin for Bochy at the hot corner after replacing the struggling Casey McGehee. In 52 games, the 24-year-old has logged 169 at-bats while hitting .289 with six homers and 29 RBIs.
Duffy's batting average is fourth best on the team and his RBI total is third best, behind only Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey.
His ability to rapidly develop into a quality everyday player helped Bochy's ballclub transition from losing Pablo Sandoval in the offseason rather seamlessly.
"He does a great job of staying grounded, within himself, and not trying to do too much," starter Tim Lincecum said. "He's a quieter kind of guy and a grinder. ... It's nice to have him there in the lineup."