Kang’s swing coming around after slump

SAN FRANCISCO — When Jung Ho Kang pulled a 97 mph fastball to left field in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 8-4 loss to the Dodgers, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said it could have been “the start of something good, something real good.”

At the very least, it was the start of a two-game home run streak and not just the end of a 28-game stretch without a homer. Kang crushed a 94 mph fastball 445 feet to left-center field in the ninth inning of Sunday’s 11-3 win at Dodger Stadium, perhaps the most encouraging sign yet that he’s nearing the end of an eight-week slump.

“I feel good that it’s getting better than before,” Kang said Monday through interpreter H.K. Kim. “Nobody can predict how well I’m going to perform today. … I’m just trying to stay positive for today’s game.”

Kang hit well for a month after coming off the disabled list then struggled for the first time in the Majors, batting .163/.255/.286 with 30 strikeouts in 110 plate appearances from June 20-Aug. 10.

During that skid, Hurdle observed Kang …

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