Crawford laments not being able to help Giants in NL West race
Brandon Crawford is about to wrap up the best statistical season of his six-year career; yet, he still has lingering regrets.
While Crawford has played 127 games for the San Francisco Giants this season, in which he has hit a career-best .255/.315/.463 with 19 home runs and 77 RBI, injuries to his oblique and calf have sidelined him intermittently over the past few weeks.
"It's tough," Crawford said of not being able to play. "We still have a chance. We're not counting ourselves out. But it was tough to go from only a few games back to, what, 8 ½ was the furthest? Do I think I could've helped a lot more if I was healthy? Yeah, I definitely think so. I definitely could've contributed."
Heading into Friday, the Giants trail the Dodgers by 7 ½ games in the NL West standings with an elimination number of 10.
Crawford hopes to return to the Giants soon and help them win games down the stretch, regardless of whether or not they make the playoffs.
He does, however, have one personal goal he'd like to achieve before the end of the season.
"Maybe get one more [home run]," said Crawford, who has been on a power tear this year despite being known predominantly as a defensive specialist in years past.
Through his first three seasons in MLB, the 28-year-old shortstop hit a total of 16 home runs in 1,130 at-bats, which is the equivalent of a home run every 71 at-bats.
This year, Crawford's 19 home runs have come in 458 at-bats, at a rate of every 24 at-bats.
He's certainly overdue for his 20th long fly, though.
It has been 90 at-bats since his last home run.
(h/t San Francisco Chronicle)
