Hunter Pence expected to go on 15-day DL with oblique injury

ST. LOUIS -- San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence is likely to land on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique.

Manager Bruce Bochy said after Tuesday's 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that it was a moderate strain. The team had anticipated the results of an MRI Pence underwent earlier in the day.

"It wasn't great news, but it was the news we thought would show up," Bochy said. "He's probably going to need a couple of weeks."

The Giants did not immediately place Pence on the DL.

"It's a tough time of year to lose one of your best players," Bochy said. "He's so inspiring, and the energy he brings, it's obvious that's a tough one for us.

"But we've got to pick it up."

Pence is batting .275 with nine homers and 40 RBIs. The Giants are 34-17 in games he's started and 31-37 without him in the lineup.

Pence was hurt swinging on a fly out against St. Louis closer Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth inning of a 2-1 loss Monday night.

Justin Maxwell played right field and batted eighth for the Giants on Tuesday, going 0-for-2 with a walk.