Vets still got it: Shark, Longo stand out in rout

July 2nd, 2019

SAN DIEGO -- As the calendar flips to July, games are scored in two different ways.

There are the numbers on the scoreboard, the official ones that everyone sees. And there are the numbers scribbled by scouts in the stands behind home plate, the private ones that are shared among front office decision-makers.

The Giants were winners on both counts Monday night.

Their 13-2 victory over the Padres at Petco Park included hits up and down the lineup, fueling an offensive surge for a squad that has had to scrape for runs most of the season. And it included big performances from pitcher and third baseman , veterans who might be moved by the July 31 Trade Deadline as the Giants strategize for the future.

Samardzija held the Padres to two runs and five hits over eight innings while striking out six and walking two. The 34-year-old right-hander allowed only one hit through five innings and didn’t allow a run until the Giants had built a 7-0 lead.

With that, Samardzija turned the page on a June that saw him post a 5.93 ERA and became the first Giants pitcher to log eight innings this season.

“I felt good,” he said. “I didn’t have too many 17- or 20-pitch innings. … It’s about avoiding those long, arduous innings that take a toll on you. If you’re out there throwing 12, 13 pitches an inning, you can go out there all day and do it. It’s a good thing we were efficient.”

Longoria, 33, scored three runs while going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBIs. And his first out was a 107.6 mph liner snared by shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. The three-time Gold Glove Award winner was charged with two errors, however. The errors he can shake off. His .226/.305/.389 slash line has been a bit tougher to put out of his mind.

“I’m just trying to make adjustments every day,” he said. “Over the course of the last week and a half, it’s been something new every day in the cage, trying to find a swing that I can repeat and a swing that feels like it has some rhythm and timing. Today was one of those days where I tried something in the cage, it felt pretty good and I was able to take it out into the game.”

For Samardzija, the challenge has been monitoring how his pitching shoulder is reacting start to start. He was limited to 10 starts last year because of tightness in the shoulder but avoided surgery in favor of rest and rehab.

“I’ve learned that it’s a day-to-day thing with shoulders,” he said. “Some days, you feel great; some days, you don’t. You just keep battling. It’s been an adjustment to playing with that. Where am I starting my pitches on days I feel good? Or on days you don’t feel good?

“The last few times, I’ve felt pretty good. I know the results haven’t been there, but the ball’s been coming out good and I’ve been feeling good. That’s something to build on.”

Following their 10-4 victory over the D-backs on Sunday, the Giants have scored in double digits in consecutive games for the second time this season. The first time was at Coors Field -- a 14-4 victory on May 7 and a 12-11 loss on May 9, with a rainout day in between.

Every Giants starter had a hit Monday, including Samardzija. The Giants matched their season high with five doubles and also had three homers. Their nine extra-base hits were a season high, and the 13 runs matched their highest-ever total at Petco Park, first accomplished Sept. 4, 2013.

The Giants rank 28th in the Majors with 339 runs. They have 6.8 percent of that 2019 output in the past two games. They have 27 hits in those two games, the most they have collected in consecutive games this season.

“It’s fun,” Longoria said. “We’ve had some tough games offensively this year. But when we have some offensive explosions, we know how to have some fun. Today was one of those days.”

Slater strikes in season debut

Called up from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the day, homered and tripled in his first big league game of 2019. He could have had a third hit, but his second-inning smash up the middle deflected off the shoe of Padres starter Logan Allen and bounced to first baseman Eric Hosmer, who tagged Slater just before he reached the bag.

That out and the two extra-base hits provided Slater with reinforcement of the work he did to alter his swing after the 2018 campaign. He came into ‘19 with a more level swing that allows him to be quicker through the zone and, he hopes, drive the baseball at better contact points.

“That’s what I’ve tried to do all offseason,” he said. “It’s great to see it in practice in a Major League game.”