SAN FRANCISCO — There were no secrets how the Giants lineup would change when Denard Span signed his three-year, $31 million deal. He’s spent 94 percent of 1022 career games in the leadoff spot, and that’s where he’d remain.
Span faired well through the end of May, but has done little from the leadoff spot this month. He’s hitting .198 since June 1, and is 8-for-44 in his last 10 games. Meanwhile Pagan has bounced around the lineup this season, and has soared since returning from the DL.
His .356-hitting surge over the last two weeks has manager Bruce Bochy getting questioned about swapping his struggling leadoff hitter for his former one.
“I kind of like (Pagan) where I’ve had him,” Bochy said after the Giants’ 8-7 win on Sunday. “Right in that six-hole area. It’s an important spot in the lineup. It’s usually an important RBI spot.”
Improbably, Pagan appears to be hitting too well for a bump in the lineup. His switch-hitting presence is even more important in a lineup missing Matt Duffy and Hunter Pence. So for the foreseeable future, including Monday night’s series opener between the Giants (49-28) and A’s (32-43), Span will hit leadoff while Pagan sandwiches himself in the middle of the order.
Perhaps most impressive about Pagan’s season is his adjustments. He was previously portrayed as a player weary of change, someone who’d sour at the idea of getting bumped out of his role as leadoff hitter, playing center field. But Pagan’s lifted his average to .297 while starting from six different spots in the lineup. He’s been everywhere this season, and dealt with the inconsistencies by being consistent.
“I’m a firm believe that if your approach is successful, why would you change it?” Pagan said. “I think it’s a myth that when you’re hitting cleanup you have to hit a home run. You have to go out there and get the job done.”
Sunday was a representative slice of how things have gone. Pagan had one of his best games of the season, helping the Giants overcome three blown leads with a 4-for-5 game. Meanwhile Span struck out three times, only reaching base on a timely bunt single. But it appears the only place he’s going to get out of his slump is from the leadoff spot.
Pagan’s going to bounce around the heart of the order, and that’s just fine with him.
“The reason I came over to the Giants,” Pagan said, “is because of my versatility to be able to hit anywhere in the lineup.”
-Brandon Crawford is out of Monday’s lineup with general soreness. With how well the Giants have played, Bochy’s not going to press any of his regulars. Especially a day after two bench players created the game-winning rally.
-Sergio Romo came out well in his minor league outing on Sunday. He struck out two in a perfect inning with Single-A San Jose, and is going to pitch again either Tuesday or Wednesday. After enduring an earlier setback in his rehab, the Giants are being extra cautious with Romo. It’s possible he returns before the All-Star break, though.
-Mac Williamson hasn’t started since going 3-for-4 with a home run in Pittsburgh on Thursday. Bochy said the outfielder has been “chomping” to pinch-hit, but he’s going to sit against right-handed starters for the time being.
Giants lineup vs. Daniel Mengden (0-3, 3.00 ERA)
CF – Denard Span (L)
2B – Joe Panik (L)
1B – Brandon Belt (L)
C – Buster Posey
LF – Angel Pagan (S)
RF – Gregor Blanco (L)
SS – Ramiro Peña (S)
3B – Conor Gillaspie (L)
RHP – Jeff Smardzija
A’s lineup vs. Jeff Samardzija (8-4, 3.59 ERA)
CF – Coco Crisp
2B – Jed Lowrie
C – Stephen Vogt
3B – Danny Valencia
LF – Khris Davis
1B – Yonder Alonso
SS – Marcus Semien
RF – Billy Burns
RHP – Daniel Mengden