UPDATE: Manager Bruce Bochy said after the game that Angel Pagan left the game with a cramp in his left hamstring.

“I think he’s going to be fine,” Bochy said. “He felt it a little earlier in the game. I’m leaning toward giving him a day off tomorrow.”

Another interesting note: Bochy said he was very impressed with Joaquin Arias’ play at third base and said Arias could be an option, especially if Brandon Crawford gets back in the lineup regularly. Crawford singled against Clayton Kershaw and also played a near-flawless game defensively, including an odd play where he stepped in front of second baseman Ryan Theriot and caught a throw from Arias on an around-the-horn double play.

Bochy also said he plans to talk to Arias about not hustling to first on his fourth-inning pop to first base. James Loney let it drop and got an unassisted double play by tagging runner Brett Pill then stepping on first base as Arias belatedly tried to get there.

“Smart play on Loney’s part,” Bochy said. “You just can’t drop your guard.”



Great vibe in the clubhouse after the win, which I get into in the game story that should be on the Gate soon. You beat Kershaw at Dodger Stadium, especially the way he’s killed the Giants, it feels like more than one win.



The Giants could make a huge statement by winning behind Tim Lincecum on Wednesday night and taking the series.

“Tomorrow night is a big game,” winner Ryan Vogelsong said. “These games against them seem like they’re always close whether one team is playing good or one team is playing really bad. Obviously I haven’t been around the rivalry much, but last year, and in my first go-round here, it seemed like no matter what teams they threw on the field, the game is tough.”



ORIGINAL POST: Center fielder Angel Pagan just left tonight’s game at Dodger Stadium with an apparent leg injury after beating out an infield single in the eighth inning, his first hit since his 20-game hitting streak ended Monday night.

Pagan hit a soft grounder to the left side that Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw fielded. Pagan beat Kershaw’s throw but strode awkwardly as he continued up the line. Manager Bruce Bochy removed him immediately.

The Giants can ill-afford another injured regular, especially one of their more consistent hitters of late.

They are leading 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth. Brett Pill hit a two-run homer against Kershaw in the second inning after a Buster Posey single. Ryan Vogelsong is still in the game.