SAN FRANCISCO — It was a move not borne out of panic or performance through nine games that the Giants put Rafael Devers in the lineup at first base Sunday for the first time this season, manager Tony Vitello said.

Devers has been limited to designated hitting duties so far because of lingering left hamstring tightness which began in spring training.

Through nine games, Casey Schmitt has seven starts and Jerar Encarnacion two, with each man charged with an error and Schmitt temporarily getting into the crosshairs of third baseman Matt Chapman for not catching a ball and contributing to a pair of unearned runs earlier this week.

With Schmitt temporarily sidelined with lower back tightness and Devers looking spry on the bases during the San Diego series, the Giants had Devers batting third and playing first base for the series finale against the New York Mets at Oracle Park.

“He feels good and he’s anxious to get out there,” Vitello said. “I think all parties involved agreed it was go time.”

It’s been a struggle for Devers at the plate through nine games with a .200 average (7-for-35) with one home run and one RBI.

While Devers’ work on the bases indicated he might be close to getting on the field, Vitello said that was only part of the equation.

“The straight line running, and then the work with Wash (coach Ron Washington) are two different categories,” Vitello said. “He feels real comfortable in a straight line.”

KOSS PUTS UP A ZERO

Utility infielder Christian Koss worked a 1-2-3 ninth in Saturday’s 9-0 loss to the Mets, and Vitello was impressed even if he hopes to never do it again.

Koss also pitched in four games last season and has yet to give up a run in five innings.

“I think it just kind of speaks to the fact that he’s a ballplayer,” Vitello said. “He’ll do whatever you ask. He’s always eager to come to the field, bounce around and get after it. He’s literally capable of playing all nine positions . . . I think the whole deal would be better off if it didn’t happen.”

NOTES

— With a day game after a night game, it figured that Daniel Susac, who had three hits in his starting debut Thursday night, might be in the lineup.

Instead it was Patrick Bailey getting the start because Logan Webb was the starter.

“It’s mostly hooking up with Webby,” Susac said. “Susac will get his chance coming around the bend pretty soon.”

— In the Giants’ three wins, shortstop Willy Adames, Chapman and Devers are slashing .359/.405/.641 (14-for-39). In six losses, those figures drop to .108/.183/.138 (7-for-65).

PHILLIES NEXT

Pitching matchups for the Giants’ three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies to close out the homestand:

Monday, 6:45 p.m.: Andrew Painter (1-0, 1.69) vs. Adrian Houser (0-1, 1.69)

Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.: Cristopher Sanchez (1-0, 0.79) vs. Robbie Ray (1-1, 3.38)

Wednesday, 12:45 p.m.: Aaron Nola (10, 3.18) vs. Tyler Mahle (0-2, 7.00)