By Chris Graham
Hunter Pence has been having a lot of fun since being with the Sacramento Rivercats on a rehab assignment from a hamstring injury.
Since Pence has returned to baseball with the AAA affiliate of the Giants all he has done in 5 games is hit .500 (8 for 16) with 2 HR’s 4 RBI. He played the entire game in Reno last night which is an extremely good sign for the Giants.
Pence excited the Giants’ friendly crowd last night in Reno going 3 for 5 at the plate with a home run over the right field fence and 2 RBI.
Another good sign is he tracked down in the gap and appeared to be fine. Reports differ as to when we might see him back in the Giants’ orange and black. Anywhere from a few days to a week. Giants manager Bruce Bochy a couple of days ago said in a report he thinks a week for Hunter.
Another great sign for San Fran was another rehab assignment a lot of fans are focused on: Joe Panik. Panik suffered a concussion when he was hit in the head by a pitch earlier in the year while playing in Tampa Bay. Panik played all of the five innings he was scheduled to go last night in Reno. As you might of guessed, he is also itching to get back.
The Giants survived a scare a few days ago when Panik was scratched from a rehab start with the Rivercats. He “didn’t feel right.” It was somewhat good news when that had nothing to do with concussion symptoms reoccurring.
He is expected to remain in rehab games for a few more days along with Pence and Ehire Adrianza. All will be a welcome sight of much needed relief for the Giants who have stumbled out of the second half gates by going just 2-8 in the first ten games after the all-star break
