SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
Devers has been limited to designated hitting duties so far because of lingering left hamstring tightness which began in spring training.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe feels good and he\u2019s anxious to get out there,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cI think all parties involved agreed it was go time.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
While Devers\u2019 work on the bases indicated he might be close to getting on the field, Vitello said that was only part of the equation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe straight line running, and then the work with Wash (coach Ron Washington) are two different categories,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cHe feels real comfortable in a straight line.\u201d<\/p>\n
KOSS PUTS UP A ZERO<\/p>\n