Smith impresses in bid to remain in closer role

Kyle Schwarber of the Cubs paid Giants reliever Will

Smith the ultimate compliment Wednesday. In the ninth inning of a tie game, Schwarber bunted against the shift with two strikes and two outs, his way of crying “uncle” and admitting he had no shot to hit a “Schwarbomb” when the situation called for it.

Smith has grabbed ahold of the closer’s job in Hunter

Strickland’s absence. If Smith continues to throw the way he has, the Giants would have to think hard about giving the role back to Strickland fulltime when he returns from his broken hand in mid-August.

Smith has converted all three of his save opportunities and pitched a combined three shutout innings in the two walk-off victories against the Cubs.

The lefty has fared better against right-handed hitters, holding them to an .082 average (4-for-49) through the Cubs series. Lefties were 8-for-44 (.182).

The only outstanding question is Smith’s durability so soon after he returned from Tommy John surgery. He passed a big test when manager Bruce Bochy let him return for the 10th inning Wednesday. Bochy and his staff were a bit nervous.

“They came to me a million times and asked me, ‘Are you OK? Tell us the truth,’ ” Smith said. “I told them the truth. I felt fine.”

Smith also said he felt fine before Friday night’s series opener against the A's, but Bochy was hoping not to use him. Asked if Smith was off his leash, Bochy said, “Pretty much.”

New center fielder: The Giants added center-field depth to the organization by signing

Peter Bourjos to a minorleague contract and assigning him to Triple-A Sacramento.

Bourjos, 31, does not have much of a bat, but does give the organization another righthanded option and, more important, superb speed and defense. The Braves released Bourjos last week after he hit .205 in 44 at-bats.

“He still has good abilities,” Bochy said. “He can fly and he's really good defensively.”

Bourjos’ father, Chris, played 13 big-league games, in 1980, for the Giants.

Briefly: Third baseman Evan Longoria (broken hand) hit in the cage and continued his defensive work. Bochy said he is pegged to begin a minorleague rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. … The Giants started play hitting 20 points worse against lefties than righties (.239 vs. .259), the fifth-highest spread in the majors. The A’s 21-point spread was fourthhighest.