SAN FRANCISCO — The plan was for Angel Pagan to take his time. Coming back from a left hamstring strain, an injury that caused him to miss time as far back as early May, the Giants understandably wanted to handle things delicately. That is, until Pagan got his say.
He went 4-for-11 with 2 RBI in three rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento, and came to San Francisco on Tuesday “feeling great,” Bruce Bochy said. The expectation was for Pagan to return Wednesday, but Bochy hinted days ago that he could be talked into an earlier call-up.
It was at the expense of Mac Williamson, who found out a few hours before first pitch that he had been optioned back to Triple-A. To a lesser extent, Pagan’s return was also at the expense of Jarrett Parker. Pagan replaced him in the starting lineup, batting seventh for the Giants (39-26) against the Brewers (30-24) and Matt Garza, making his season debut. Garza opposes Madison Bumgarner (7-2, 1.88 ERA), who’s allowed one hit with runners in scoring position over his last eight starts. That’s a 1-for-32 clip, to be exact.
Pagan, a switch-hitter, adds balance to the Giants’ predominantly left-handed lineup. That added a small element of surprise in Williamson’s departure over Parker, a left-handed hitter who’s only hit .184 since getting called up on May 24. Williamson swings right-handed, but collected only two hits in his 14 at-bats this month.
“It was a tough call,” Bochy said.
He clarified that it didn’t mean the Giants couldn’t change their mind in two weeks, but for now this is the team they’re going with. No injury updates to deliver this evening. Sergio Romo is still trying to gradually build up his arm strength, but that’s relatively insignificant in terms of a return. He’ll surely go on a lengthy rehab assignment when he is at full strength.
Giants lineup and history against Matt Garza
CF – Denard Span (L) (4-for-12, 2B)
2B – Joe Panik (L) (1-for-3, 2B)
1B – Brandon Belt (L) (0-for-6, 2 SO)
C – Buster Posey (1-for-5)
3B – Matt Duffy (1-for-3, HR)
SS – Brandon Crawford (L) (2-for-4, 2 2B)
LF – Angel Pagan (S) (2-for-6, 2B, RBI)
RF – Gregor Blanco (2-for-10, 2B, 4 SO)
LHP – Madison Bumgarner (1-for-1, BB)
Brewers lineup against Madison Bumgarner
SS – Jonathan Villar (S)
RF – Hernan Perez
LF – Ryan Craun
C – Jonathan Lucroy
1B – Chris Carter
3B – Aaron Hill
2B – Scooter Gennett (L)
CF – Keon Broxton
RHP – Matt Garza