Pagan to get more breaks

CHICAGO — Bruce Bochy believes in Angel Pagan.

“I think he’s been moving better. I do. That’s why I rested him,” Bochy said before Saturday’s game.

Pagan went 1-for-5 with a ninth-inning single and is hitting .260 — but just .156 in his past 45 at-bats. He played three straight games after resting his knees three games, and he’ll be out of the lineup Sunday.

With Monday’s off day, it’ll be a two-day break. That could become the norm. Bochy said he plans to rest his center fielder at least once a week and was encouraged with Pagan’s swings in his first game back Thursday.

“The inflammation in the knees has calmed down,” Bochy said. “I thought be swung the bat very well. He looked good from the left side the first game. Watching him in center field, it looks like he’s moving better.”

Pagan has just 17 extra-base hits this year and no homers in his past 678 at-bats, the longest streak in the majors. Both knees have bothered him, especially the right.

Pagan made his second error of the season when he let Addison Russell’s eighthinning single skip past him. Glove work: Shortstop Brandon Crawford continues to wow the crowd defensively. Saturday, he robbed Kris Bryant with a diving stop of a scorching grounder destined for center field, and his tag of Kyle Schwarber trying to steal second was equally artful.

Crawford took Buster Posey’s from-the-knees throw and made an acrobatic tag, holding his glove to Schwarber, who lifted his leg over the bag.

“Fans here got to see how good he is,” Bochy said. Briefly: Brandon Belt hit a two-run homer, his fifth on the trip and 15th overall, and Crawford hit a double off the ivy in left field for his 71st RBI. ... Closer Santiago Casilla gave up three runs in the eighth, and Bochy said, “That’s a big inning. I don’t know if he (had) his focus.” ... Tim Lincecum (forearm soreness) will begin throwing off a mound on the homestand. ... Catcher Andrew Susac (sprained right thumb) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento.