Pagan excels at coming through in late innings

LOS ANGELES -- Statistics illustrate just how productive Giants center fielder Angel Pagan has been in clutch situations.

Since the start of the 2013 season, Pagan entered Friday batting .370 (20-for-54) with three home runs in the eighth inning or later, compared to .260 for the rest of the Giants in those situations. Despite playing only 71 games last year, Pagan collected three walk-off hits, the most by a Giant since Andres Torres also had three in 2010.

Pagan says little about his hitting approach, which may reflect his ability to keep things simple.

"In those situations, I just want to have good at-bats," he said.

Evidence of Pagan's value since he joined the club in 2012 has continued to mount. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Giants are 129-99 (.566) when Pagan has played. In his absence, they are 44-56 (.440).