Victor Bericoto delivers walkoff homer against A’s

Bericoto gets his opportunity atop San Francisco’s lineup to face lefty Patrick Sandoval after Drew Gilbert spent a couple days in that spot earlier this week. The hard-hitting 24-year-old has homered four times in 31 games during his rookie campaign, but lacks the on-base skillset of a traditional top-of-the-order table-setter. Still, he figures to get some chances against left-handed starters down the home stretch.

Bericoto returns to San Francisco’s outfield mix after missing just over one month with an oblique strain. His path to playing time is much clearer since the Giants shipped Heliot Ramos to the Yankees at the trade deadline. The 24-year-old makes plenty of hard contact, as evidenced by a nearly 47 percent hard-hit rate this season, and he’s batted .293 (17-for-58) with four homers and one steal in the majors.

Bericoto has been on the injured list since July 10th with an oblique strain. With Heliot Ramos now playing for the Yankees, there is a good chance that Bericoto could see regular playing time when he returns from the injured list. He’s slashing .293/.305/.552 in 59 plate appearances with the Giants while hitting four home runs. He doesn’t walk much at all, but he has a 46.5% hard-hit rate and a 91.5 percent zone contact rate, so he will do damage on pitches in the zone. He just needs to chase a bit less.

Bericoto sustained the injury during Thursday’s battle against the Rockies. No word yet on how long he’ll be shelved for, but oblique issues are notoriously tricky and can tend to linger if not handled properly. Grant McCray was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to take his place on the Giants’ roster on Friday.

Bericoto has a three-game hitting streak, where he has gone 5-for-12 with three RBI and a steal. He has also hit 14-for-37 (.378) with three home runs, six runs scored, and eight RBI in 10 games since becoming a regular starter with Matt Chapman (abs) on the injured list. It would seem like the Giants could find another hitter to give an off day to, but they will start Drew Gilbert in center field with Bericoto on the bench.

Chapman has been able to tolerate the strain, but he aggravated the injury in the sixth inning against the D-backs and was forced to depart. If he needs to go on the IL, the Giants will likely stick Casey Schmitt at third base and give more outfield time to Victor Bericoto and Drew Gilbert.

If you’re going to have to take a day off on occasion, doing so against Chris Sale isn’t the worst idea in the world. Heliot Ramos will function as the Giants’ designated hitter in his place on Sunday while Victor Bericoto draws a start in right field and will bat eighth for the Giants.

Ramos, out since May 16 with a quad strain, has gone 7-for-23 with a homer in six minor league games, which is likely two or three more than he would have played in if the Giants were more excited about getting him back. There aren’t going to be enough at-bats to go around with both Ramos and Victor Bericoto on the roster, so sending down Bericoto seems the likely option. Even though he’s one of the Giants’ best hitters, Ramos might just be a part-timer while everyone is healthy. Starting Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee and Casey Schmitt together in the outfield isn’t something the team will be able to do too often.

Arraez was hurt when he fouled a ball off his foot on Tuesday. His return means Casey Schmitt is shifting back to the outfield. That’d seem like bad news for Victor Bericoto, but since he homered the last two days, the Giants are sacrificing some defense by sitting Drew Gilbert and playing Jung Joo Lee in center tonight.

Adames is out because of lower-half discomfort he felt during last night’s game. As of now, there’s no indication this will be a lengthy absence. Casey Schmitt will start at shortstop with Victor Bericoto in left field, batting eighth, and Jonah Cox in center field, batting ninth.