SAN FRANCISCO -- It had been a tough couple of weeks for Connor Joe. After flying high in April, enjoying one of the most drastic power increases in the league, the Pirates' outfielder/first baseman's production dropped off in May. In his previous 20 games entering Tuesday against the Giants at Oracle Park, Joe had hit just .164 with a .507 OPS over 69 trips to the plate.
On Tuesday, though, he provided the Pirates the big hit they needed to edge out the Giants, 2-1. Batting in the first inning, Joe was able to turn on a John Brebbia breaking ball up and launch it 388 feet:
"It’s big," Derek Shelton said. "Connor’s been grinding a little bit. To get us on the board early when we know they’re going to mix and match [with their bullpen] was really important."
For someone who started so hot but has been mired in the same slump the team has this month, a swing and an early lead like that was sorely needed.
"It's not easy," Joe said about this stretch. "Been grinding the past couple weeks, and I think you lean on your teammates, you lean on your staff and they keep me going for sure."
Joe got his major-league career started with the Giants back in 2019, and he sure has hit well against them ever since, recording a .911 OPS against his old club entering play and before that home run.
Joe was pretty surprised by that news and suggested it was the backdrop of the ballpark that explains it. He isn't holding a grudge or anything.
"It feels good doing that against any team, honestly," he said. "It's not anymore special, one way or another. I don't really look at the Giants in that way. Grateful for the opportunity they gave me to debut."
