Aubrey Huff Gets First Start Since April 21

Aubrey Huff started for the first time since April 21 tonight. Though he went 0-for-3, he also drew a walk that preceded Joaquin Arias’ first big-league homer and hit two long flyballs to right, one of which was smoked. He also hit a dribbler to the pitcher in his final at-bat. Three of his four at-bats were very good.

I talked to Huff before the game, asking if he had a little rookie-type nervousness starting for the first time since his anxiety leave. To the contrary, Huff was more calm than usual, even serene. He said that therapy has helped him realize he’s playing a game and he can’t worry about the results.

After the game, when asked to assess his performance, he said, “I felt great, man. My whole goal was to go out and not be so results-oriented. Just go out and have good at-bats. I did except for one at-bat. I drew a good walk. The two balls I hit I just missed (home runs). I looked at balls and swung at strikes. It was a good, positive start.

“I felt like I could actually do some damage. It’s been a long time since I felt that way. I took some pitches I’ve been swinging at for the last year and a half.”

Manager Bruce Bochy made it clear Brandon Belt and Brett Pill will still get starts at first. Bochy is not handing the job back to Huff. In fact, Huff will probably sit today. But he is going to remain a viable alternative because of his ability to drive the ball to right field, and here’s where I’m revving up that mower. In two at-bats tonight Huff did what the Giants are desperate for Belt to do, which he isn’t doing. He jumped on hitable pitches and pulled them.


(sfgate.com)