Giants break out with 22-hit explosion

When you’ve lost eight of your last nine games and totaled nine runs in 53 innings, how do you break out?

Try an eight-run explosion in the fourth inning, highlighted by a Hunter Pence grand slam.

A potential turning point came Friday night for the defending champions who’ve struggled offensively – except when you consider the Phillies, 29-60 this season, are the worst team in the league.

Nevertheless, the win was a delight for Manager Bruce Bochy:

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a game like this, so occasionally you have them and it’s good to see us break out to be honest it’s been a struggle for us.”

Bochy added:

“This is a better offense than what we’ve been doing. … We had some good pitching but we faced a very good pitcher here tonight and fought hard out there.”

Angel Pagan, who had two RBIs in the explosive fourth inning, said after the win it’s back to work:

 “Just go back to the gym and work out and get ready for the next day. … Today is just, we won 1-0. You just have to kept he same attitude we have to finish strong and mentally get ready for the second half that’s our mentality right now.”

The Giants had three players with four hits Friday night: Joe Panik, Matt Duffy, and Justin Maxwell.  The last time that happened was on May 22, 1965 when Jesus Alou, Tom Haller, and Hal Lanier — the 6-7-8 hitters — did it at the Astrodome.

Panik said:

“You just build momentum and carry good feelings going forward. … Definitely after a night like tonight We know we can do it it’s just a matter of getting some good momentum and a night like tonight is definitely a step in the right direction.”