MILWAUKEE -- Former Brewer Aaron Hill was once considered a friend at Miller Park. But when he returned as a Giant on Monday, he became an enemy to the Brewers' defense.
Hill lined a pinch-hit, two-run go-ahead double off Brewers reliever Rob Scahill in the eighth inning, setting up the Giants' 7-2 win over the Brewers in the first of a four-game series.
"It feels good to help out the team whenever it comes," Hill said. "Coming off [the bench], you just try to get your pitch and put a good swing on it. It's never easy but it's always fun when it works out and obviously when you get the win, it's very satisfying."
Hill's double was his first of the season and put the Giants up 4-2, before pinch-hitter Kelby Tomlinson and the top of the lineup scored three runs off Neftali Feliz in the ninth.
"I hate him. I'm just kidding," Brewers utility man Hernan Perez said of Hill, laughing. "He got a pitch to hit and he put it in play. I think he was the guy for that situation."
The 35-year-old Hill delivered the double to left field on a low 93-mph fastball. It was his sixth hit in 18 games this season, and was the 1,498th of his career.
"I was talking to Aaron about his time here," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He had a great time, he loved it here. He's a veteran, our guy with experience coming off the bench. With two outs, I decided to go ahead and hit for Orlando Calixte. Good for Aaron. That's why we have him. To help out in those situations. He came through in a big way."
Hill played in 78 games with the Brewers in 2016, batting .283 (72-for-254) and hitting eight home runs. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox on July 7, 2016, for second baseman Wendell Rijo and right-handed pitcher Aaron Wilkerson.
Hill seemed to enjoy his time in Milwaukee and caught up with Brewers players Chase Anderson and Corey Knebel during Monday's batting practice.
"Anytime you come to the stadium, you see some old friends. You develop many relationships, so it's always nice to catch up and ask how the family is," Hill said. "You rarely talk baseball but you know, it's just nice to catch up with some guys."
While it was nice to have success against his former team, Hill said he was mostly satisfied his double helped Giants starter Jeff Samardzija earn his second win of the season, after Samardzija retired 19 consecutive batters with 10 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings.
"We've said that for a lot of our pitchers that have done very well and we just haven't put up the runs for them," Hill said. "It makes it even more satisfying when you give him a win and you feel like 'Alright. Here you go. Sorry it's taken so long. Hopefully, we can get you some more down the road.'"