Revisit the San Francisco Giants’ Eight Grand Slams in 2015

Hunter Pence

Jul 10, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder

(8) runs past Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher

(35) as he rounds the bases after his grand slam home run in the fourth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Hunter Pence’s grand slam on July 10th may be the most impressive of the Giants’ eight this season, because of the circumstances. First, he was facing his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies, and their ace Cole Hamels. Second, he was in just his third game back from his second stint on the disabled list because of his left wrist. Finally, he went to right field at AT&T Park, which is far from an easy feat for a right-handed hitter.

The Giants were in dire straits entering their final series of the first half against the Phillies. They had lost eight of nine, and were averaging just about two runs per game in that span. They needed an offensive explosion, and it came against an unlikely opponent in Hamels, but they got their outburst.

Already leading 5-0 by the time Pence stepped in the box in the fourth inning, that game could be considered a success from an offensive standpoint. Pence wasn’t happy with just those five, however. With the bases loaded and a 2-1 count on “Pence on the Fence” night, the giveaway’s namesake took a Hamels fastball deep over the right field wall. Hamels couldn’t bear to watch, but can you really blame him?

The offensive festivities continued, and the Giants eventually totaled 12 runs to get them back on the right track. Pence’s 2015 season has been a rough one filled with stops and starts, but he’s had his share of big moments. His fifth career grand slam was one of the biggest.

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