SAN FRANCISCO -- Since Angel Pagan returned June 14 from a hamstring injury that kept him out for about three weeks, the Giants left fielder has hit in a variety places that are higher in the order than the No. 9 spot he occupied on Opening Day. With valuable hitters like Hunter Pence and Matt Duffy on the disabled list, manager Bruce Bochy's had no other choice. What's more, Pagan's bat has been hot.
And it continued to be Sunday, this time while Pagan batted in the two-hole in the Giants' 8-7 win against the Philadelphia Phillies at AT&T Park. Pagan went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs, serving as the primary catalyst for the Giants in a game in which they needed every bit of offense they could get.
"What a series he had and what a game he had today," Bochy said. "Hit after hit, big hits, too. He really looks good up there swinging. Since he's come back, he's been swinging the bat very well."
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Pagan, now the owner of a seven-game hit streak, said he's been battling to find his timing since coming back from the DL. It appeared he found it this series.
"Today was one of the best days I've felt since I came back," said Pagan, who recorded his first four-hit game since April 25, 2015, at Colorado. He went 8-for-13 and drove in four runs in the weekend series with the Phillies.
His production came from multiple places in the order. On Friday, it came from the five-spot, and on Saturday he hit sixth. On Sunday, he hit from the two-hole because second baseman Joe Panik received the day off.
"The reason I came here to the Giants is because of my versatility to be anywhere in the lineup," Pagan said. "I tell Bochy I'm in my motorhome ready to contribute anywhere in the lineup."
For now, Bochy would like to continue using Pagan in an "RBI spot" in the six-hole area, normally behind Brandon Belt, Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford. It's working well as of now. Pagan has accumulated nine RBIs since Tuesday.