WASHINGTON — Serving in the same platoon role as he has for the past two seasons, Austin Slater simply hasn’t gotten many opportunities as the Giants faced a stretch of seven straight right-handed starters to begin this road trip.
The platoon role took some adjustment for Slater, a former prospect who was used to regular opportunities against pitchers of any handedness. He called last season — his first taking more at-bats against lefties than righties — a learning experience. One thing he picked up: stay ready for the next southpaw. So he had ample time to prepare for the Giants’ series opener Friday night against Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin.
And, boy, Slater was ready for the middle-in sinker he got from Corbin with two on, one out in the second inning. Slater put the pitch in the right-field seats, 394 feet away, as if to answer any doubts about the .385 OPS he carried in to Friday night’s 7-1 win.
