PHOENIX -- There's a phrase that Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen seemingly always use when they talk about first baseman Pavin Smith.
"Pavin can hit."
Before Monday night's series opener with the Angels, Lovullo was asked about continuing to write Smith's name in the lineup, considering his struggles since recently coming off the IL.
After explaining why he wants to give Smith time to get his footing under him after missing time, Lovullo said it.
"Pavin can hit."
Smith made his manager look prophetic a few hours later when his seventh-inning homer off the right-field foul pole for a go-ahead hit in what turned out to be a 4-3 Arizona win.
Coming into the game, Smith was 2-for-23 since being activated off the IL at the beginning of June.
Ryne Nelson allowed just a pair of runs over seven innings to earn the win for the Diamondbacks.