More effective Pagán returns, firing fastballs

TORONTO — Emilio Pagán returned from Triple-A during Oakland’s series at Toronto throwing better than he had all of April.

For one thing, his velocity is up 2 mph to 95-96 mph, according to pitching coach Scott Emerson, and as Emerson pointed out, that can make all the difference on a mistake pitch. But the main thing, Emerson and Pagán said Sunday, is that Pagán is emphasizing his strengths, especially his fastball up in the zone.

Pagán used his fastball a season-high 86.2 percent of the time Saturday, and his slider — which he threw 36.7 percent of the time in his final outing before he was demoted May 2 — just 6.9 percent of the time.

“It’s about staying true to

who I am,” Pagán said before Sunday’s game. “Before I went down, there were some situations where maybe I got away from what I do best. That’s probably on me.

“I’ve got to stick with what I do and believe that it will work out for the best more often than not: Throwing the fastball up in the zone, the slider off that, working in the split whenever I get a chance, whenever it’s a good situation for it.”

Obtained in the Ryon Healy deal with Seattle, Pagán had a 9.00 ERA in April. But after being recalled Friday, he contributed two key scoreless innings Saturday in Oakland’s late comeback win over the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit, a walk and he struck out one, and he was awarded the win.

“It just seemed like he was confident,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Things like that don’t show up, but those two innings we got from him kept us where we could have the potential comeback. He has it in him. It probably was good for him to go down and work on his strengths.”

Briefly: Melvin said the team will let Brett Anderson’s left shoulder soreness calm down a bit before getting an MRI this week . ... Andrew Triggs, who incurred nerve discomfort in three fingers Thursday, has had an MRI but Melvin said it will not be read until Monday . ... Reliever Wilmer Font gave up a two-run homer to Yangervis Solarte in the ninth. Font has allowed 10 homers in 17 innings; no other major-league reliever has given up more than six . ... DH Kendrys Morales pitched a scoreless ninth for Toronto . ... Oakland claimed right-handed reliever Carlos Ramirez from the Blue Jays; the 27-year-old, designated for assignment a week earlier, is likely to be assigned to Triple-A Nashville.