SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- CRACK!

Contact between ball and bat echoed throughout the stadium and silence fell as fans watched it sail through the air past left field.

Cheers quickly replaced the silence as Thairo Estrada made his way to home plate following his first Spring Training home run.

“It feels good because we’re getting close to the regular season and everything is coming together,” the second baseman said in Spanish.

His goal entering the Giants’ 19-11 loss against the Reds on Wednesday was to feel good at the plate and on defense.

So far, so good.

“It’s a sign that the timing is coming,” he said. “I feel the confidence is coming and I feel healthy and happy to be here.”

With a player like Estrada, it all comes down to getting the timing just right, according to Giants manager Bob Melvin.

Last year, Estrada was named the Giants’ Willie Mac Award winner, even after missing a month due to a hand fracture during the season. He stood out thanks to his elite defense, ranking second overall in outs above average (+19).

Offensively, he hit .271, recorded 49 RBIs and 14 home runs and led the team with 23 stolen bases.

The Venezuelan continues to prepare for the upcoming season the same way he has year after year, making adjustments and focusing on having a better season. He wants to help the team in whatever way he can.

Melvin believes Estrada has settled really well into his role as starting second baseman, and the next step for him is to realize his All-Star potential.

“There really isn’t a pitch he can’t handle,” the manager said in a previous interview. “I kind of liken him to a guy like [Jose] Altuve, where he can just say, ‘All right, I’m swinging,’ and he’ll find the ball. Very few guys have that kind of bat-to-ball skill. Plus, there’s an intensity to his game. He’s always a challenge on the basepaths, too.”

With the end of Spring Training in sight, the goal for Estrada is now to remain healthy, so he can have a strong start to the season.

“We’re just trying to get him innings and get his legs ready for a full season,” Melvin said.

In 28 at-bats this spring, Estrada is hitting .250.

“The most important thing is to enjoy the game every day and try to take the team to a championship,” he said.

Black’s day

Mason Black had a rough outing against the Reds, allowing four runs, including two home runs, and seven hits over 3 1/3 innings in his third Cactus League start.

Black said there was a lot to learn from this outing, particularly working on his arm-side sliders that put him behind in the count.

“I just have to stay focused on execution and just be myself out there and try to compete for the team and put us in a position to win every time,” he said.

Sanchez goes scoreless

Juan Sanchez entered the game in the ninth inning and was the only pitcher to go scoreless against the Reds.

“He’s come out of the pack a little bit to give himself a chance and we’re taking a hard look at him,” Melvin said.

The left-handed pitcher is rostered to play in the Spring Breakout game on Friday and is competing for one of the open bullpen spots.

Noteworthy

• Wilmer Flores belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning. The first baseman went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in his ninth Cactus League appearance.
• David Villar hit his second home run of the spring, off a 1-0 pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning. Villar went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
• Luis Matos went 2-for-3, recording two doubles, three runs and an RBI.
• Chase Pinder hit a two-run double in the eighth.
• Pablo Sandoval and Marco Luciano both went 1-for-2 with one run each.