Takeaways: Giants suffer double dose of pain with loss of Joe Panik, game
The Giants lost to the Nationals just hours after popular second baseman Joe Panik was released. Buster Posey indicated all the veterans are feeling the impact of his exit.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants lost Joe Panik and another game on Tuesday, falling 5-3 to the Washington Nationals.
It was the Giants’ eighth loss in 12 games after a 17-3 stretch into late July and it leaves them now seventh in the race for the two National League wild-card spots, 3 1/2 games out of the No. 2 slot and just a game ahead of Cincinnati.
Here are the takeaways:
No Panik, no panic
The Giants took on the Nationals just hours after popular second baseman Joe Panik was released. Buster Posey said all the veterans on the team are feeling the impact of his exit after six years on the roster.
“Joe has meant to much to our team and here in the locker room, and obviously was a big part of (the World Series championship in) ’14 and the last five years,” Posey said. “It was a tough day, no doubt. I’m good friends with Joe and his wife, and I just hope for the best for him, that he gets on a team and really goes off.”
Posey expects there may be an adjustment period emotionally for the clubhouse but added, “I think guys were ready to play today.”
Manager Bruce Bochy agreed. “I think the focus was good. It was on the game,” he said.
A tough outing for Menez
Conner Menez, the 24-year-old left-hander from Hollister, was tagged for five runs and the loss in his second major league start, and allowed a pair of home runs for the second time.
The big one was Kurt Suzuki’s two-out, two-strike, two-run shot in the third inning, giving the Nationals a 4-0 lead. “That was damage there, ended up being the difference in the ballgame,” Bochy said. “But he gave us six (innings) and we needed him to get us somewhat deep in the game to give this pen a break.”
Menez, who got a no-decision in his July 21 debut against the Mets, said he was pleased to get through six innings. “It’s definitely a great experience to be up here and get more innings under my belt up here,” he said.
Who’s on third
While the Giants’ 2-3-4-5 hitters were a combined 1 for 15 at the plate, Pablo Sandoval came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit double in the sixth, then remained in the game and doubled home a run in the seventh. He struck out to end the game with Kevin Pillar on third base.
Sandoval, who leads the majors with 17 pinch hits, now is tied for second with Candy Maldonado (1986) in single-season Giants history. Ken Oberkfell holds the club record with 18 pinch hits in 1989.
“He’s got a lot of pop in the bat,” Bochy said. “I have a lot of confidence when he’s up there”
Bochy plans to rotate Sandoval, Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt at first and third base going forward. Longoria is just off the injured list after missing 19 games with left foot plantar fasciitis, and is 1 for 7 in two games since being activated.