Angel Pagan has been anxiously wanting to show Giants fans what he’s all about as a multi-dimensional player, and he finally provided a more potent preview Tuesday.
Pagan tripled and doubled, made a sensational sliding catch and nearly snared a Willie Mays-style over-the-shoulder grab at the fence in center field during a 5-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
“Believe or not, I was telling (Bruce) Bochy I thought it held in my glove,” Pagan said. “I don’t know where it went through. But I’d rather miss it here than during the season. Next time, I should be able to catch it.”
He did make a terrific diving grab of a sinking liner in the left-center gap off the bat of the Cubs’ Steve Clevenger. It saved a run in the bottom of the second.
Offensively Pagan was just 5 for 22 (.227) with no extra-base hits entering Tuesday. But he not only hit the ball well, he showed blazing speed around the basepaths, particularly on the triple.
“That’s who I am, a gap-to-gap hitter who likes to apply pressure on the bases, and now I just have to work on consistency so I can bring that to the season,” he said. “But it was a good day.”
Bochy said it was good to see Pagan, who will miss the next couple of games to get a wisdom tooth pulled, get untracked offensively.
“Hopefully, he’ll put some pressure on opposing teams and make some things happen this year,” the manager said. “Going from home around to third, he was pretty quick.
Buster Posey caught four more innings without a hitch and he’ll play a full game as the designated hitter Wednesday. It’s starting to become routine.
“I’ve caught three times now and I’m really happy with the way my ankle has felt,” he said. “It’s felt better and better every time out.”
Posey went 0-for-2 at the plate – two chopper groundouts – and is still looking for his first hit after five plate trips. But he isn’t worried.
“I just need some more ABs,” Posey said. “I’m seeing the ball well, but I’m just coming out a little bit quick.”
Bochy said the plan is to stretch Posey’s catching innings out sometime next week. He’s hoping to get him to six innings by March 20-21. He also to get Posey around 50 at-bats before the team leaves Arizona.
Madison Bumgarner had a so-so day, giving up seven hits over four innings and three runs, but he didn’t walk a batter and struck out four.
“A lot of balls up and over the plate,” Bumgarner said. “I made some good pitches, too, but I gave in a little bit because I was falling behind. I felt good the whole time, though.”
Bochy said second baseman Freddy Sanchez probably wouldn’t play until Friday at the earliest.. Sanchez, meanwhile, said his surgically repaired right shoulder is steadily getting stronger and he still has hopes of being in the Opening Day lineup.
“I’m getting there,” Sanchez said. “Obviously, I’m going to have some ups and downs with such a long rehab, such a long process and such a long time to get back, but for the most part, I’ve had more good days than bad days and everything seems pretty good.”
Sanchez said he can make most of the throws he needs to make, but is still trying to regain the necessary zip to be effective.
“Obviously, the ball right at me, I’ll be able to get there,” he said. But if it’s a fast runner, I still have to have the arm strength to get it there. I think once the arm strength is there to where I feel like I can turn and fire it, that’ll be the determining factor. That means I’ll be able to turn the double play, I’ll be able to do a relay and I’ll be able to throw in the hole, throw to my left, throw to my right, everything.”
Retired outfielder Pat Burrell has been making the rounds behind the scenes observing games as he prepares for a role off the field with the Giants..
“I’m just really appreciative that they’re going to give me the chance to help out or be part of the organization,” Burrell said. “In what capacity, I’m not sure yet. It’s a good fit with me living here (in Arizona) and my ties to the Bay Area. So we’ll see, I’m enjoying it, I’m learning another side of the game. It’s different but it’s a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”
Burrell was asked if he might put on a uniform this spring and help out on the field.
“I don’t know about that,” he said. “After (foot) surgery, I may have to get back in shape before I put one of those on.”
