Giants notes: Blanco gets the aces; Susac slowed again

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SAN FRANCISCO -- In his time as a bench bat for Bruce Bochy, Joaquin Arias would often end up facing Clayton Kershaw since that was usually a day off for Brandon Crawford. Arias would laugh it off, saying that was the job.

Gregor Blanco now has to do the same. 

Blanco has made three starts in the last week as Bochy has tried to get some rest for regulars. He faced Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, and now he'll face Jose Fernandez since Angel Pagan is getting his first rest day of the season. 

"I can't say I'm doing him any favors," Bochy said, smiling. "I told him, 'Look for the other team's No. 1. That's when you're starting.'"

[RELATED: Giants lineup: Pagan sits for first time, Blanco to left field]

Blanco had two hits the other night in the loss to Greinke. He's hitting just .211 this season, but at some point the road will get easier. 

--- Andrew Susac didn't really have a chance to make this team after his wrist flared up in spring training, and Trevor Brown now has a firm grip on the backup job. Susac is still not back to 100 percent. General manager Bobby Evans said he has a scapula strain that has kept him out of the lineup since April 11 and will limit him to DH duty for now. Susac is throwing, but the training staff in Sacramento isn't ready to clear him to get back behind the plate.

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"This poor guy has had a tough go from the start dealing with injuries," Bochy said. 

The Giants still believe that Susac will help them at some point. "He has too much talent, can catch, throw, hit, and hit with power," Bochy said. 

--- Mac Williamson had two homers in his return to Sacramento. "It didn't look like (the limited time up in the big leagues) hurt him too much," Bochy said. "That's impressive." Bochy also noted that Clayton Blackburn had a great night Friday, and the reports on him have been good. 

--- I think I write this every year, but ... if the Marlins come to town that's a great time to snag a cheap(er than usual) ticket and come early to watch Giancarlo Stanton take BP. It's unlike anything else you'll see in the National League.

Madison Bumgarner tried to match Stanton, hitting several homers that one-hopped onto the concourse in left field during his turn. All the Giants starters looked like they were swinging for the fences in BP, and as he watched, Bochy noted what a good athlete Jeff Samardzija is. "He's our fastest pitcher," Bochy said of the former wide receiver. "If I pinch-run with a guy, he's the guy I'd use."

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