After a strong performance from outfielder Xavier Nady last night in the 6-3 victory of the Colorado Rockies, the Giants veteran leftfielder finds himself back on the bench as Manager Bruce Bochy has elected to go with a healthy Gregor Blanco tonight against the right-handed Tyler Chatwood.
Nady delivered two key RBI singles last night against the Rockies starter Jeff Francis and reliever Carlos Torres and is 6 –for-18 (.333) with 5 RBI in seven games since joining the Giants.
Blanco, who doubled in a pinch hit appearance on Tuesday night, missed the previous two games with a sore shoulder.
“He’s fine. He’s good to go.” Bochy mentioned. “We’re going to be using both of them, its’s good to have Blanco back.”
Batting just .213 since the All-Star break, including .208 in the month of August, Blanco has picked it up as of late batting .308 over his last ten games.
Bochy also mentioned the strong defense that Blanco has played in the outfield this season. Blanco fits the mold to play outfield at AT&T and his glove is definitely going to keep him in the mix.
Nady however has been an everyday player in his past and has plenty of experience against right handers. Whether those days are behind him remains to be seen.
Leftfield will likely be a juggling act for the remainder of the season for Bruce Bochy. One thing is for sure, with October looming Bochy is going to do all he can to push as many runs across the plate as possible.
Bochy likes Blanco’s defense and speed, but if Nady continues to hit with power and knock in runs, Blanco may find his duties relegated to pinch hitting and as a late-inning defensive replacement.
(Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained first-hand.)
