That's a winning formula

SF 7  WSH 1

Let’s see . . . combine great pitching with lots of run-scoring hits and . . . it’s a win! This is a formula the Giants should get behind. Team MVP Jordan Hicks threw another good game. He’s the best move of the off-season so far. Here’s a piece on FanGraphs about the adjustments he’s made to move from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Mostly, he’s sacrificed some velocity on his big sinker to gain more command. And he’s added a splitter. His career path is an unusual one and so far it is paying off for the Giants. I like rooting for this guy.

The youth brigade of Ryan Walker, Landen Roupp, and Erik Miller closed out the last three frames. They were overpowering. Hicks was pulled after six innings and 79 pitches—it was 6-1 by then. A solo homer from Joey Gallo was the only blemish. Speaking of homers, the Giants did not hit one. But they did steal three bases, two of those in one inning by rookie Tyler Fitzgerald. He and the other fellow at the bottom of the lineup (Nick Ahmed) combined for six hits, five runs scored, and three batted in.

Jung-Hoo Lee got the day off. He went through a long slump after a hot start. He had two hits yesterday but he is still making too many easy outs. I don’t think he’d missed an inning of the first twelve games so this was a smart time to give him a break. There’s an off-day tomorrow and then they go to Tampa Bay for three. Keaton Winn is scheduled for Friday at 3:50 Pacific.

Go Giants!

–M.C.