Padres manager Craig Stammen predicts Austin Hays' pinch-hit home run in debut with team

The San Diego Padres signed outfielder Austin Hays to a Major League contract on Sunday afternoon.

After San Diego signed Hays, manager Craig Stammen almost predicted what would happen later in the game. The Padres manager said, "He's a good right-handed bench bat … one of those guys that, in his career, has hit lefty pitching really well. So he's somebody that we can bring in to pinch-hit against a tough lefty, or someone that we can start against a lefty."

A few hours later, Hays was pinch-hit to face left-handed pitcher Bryan King, and he hit his second home run of the season in his first plate appearance with San Diego, almost exactly as Stammen predicted when explaining the free-agent signing.

Hays' number was called in the bottom of the eighth inning of Sunday night's game against the Houston Astros. There was a runner on first, and Hays hit a 371-foot home run to left field to put San Diego up 7-2, making quite the first impression.

Hays replaced designated hitter Gavin Sheets. Hays bats right-handed while Sheets hits lefty. Stammen made the substitution call with Houston bringing on the southpaw King in relief.

The 31-year-old Hays spent time with the Chicago White Sox earlier this season. He played in only 12 games, making 44 plate appearances. Hays slashed .233/.250/.326 with one home run and seven RBI before suffering a hamstring injury that landed him on the IL.

The outfielder dealt with multiple leg injuries and was moved to the 60-day IL. Hays had been nearing a return, but was designated for assignment on Aug. 5.