Giants struggling for extra-base hits at home

SAN FRANCISCO -- It's obvious to Giants manager Bruce Bochy that his hitters aren't capitalizing on their surroundings during home games. And statistics reinforce this impression.

As observers know by now, AT&T Park rewards hitters who can find the wide open spaces in the outfield. That's something the Giants have done with decreasing frequency as the season has progressed.

"It seems like we're missing the gapper to get us on the board or get us going," Bochy said before Wednesday's Interleague series finale against the Chicago White Sox.

Cold, hard numbers validate Bochy's remark. The Giants entered the game with 82 doubles at home, the National League's second-lowest total and 20 below the league average. Not surprisingly, they also ranked last with 38 home runs at home, 12 short of the league average.

No wonder the Giants lost 22 of their previous 29 games at AT&T Park entering Wednesday.

"When you lose a lot of close games, you're always missing that timely hit," Bochy said.