SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A bit of Sunday frustration aside, right-hander Jordan Hicks likes where he’s at this spring. Especially when he can tap into triple-digit heat when he wants it.
Hicks allowed three runs over 2 2/3 innings as the split-squad Giants beat the San Diego Padres at Scottsdale Stadium, 7-4, exiting in the third inning after failing to record a single out but re-entering in the fourth inning and finishing his outing strong. The right-hander threw 62 pitches in total, sitting in the 95-97 mph range and touching 100 mph on two occasions. Results aside, Hicks feels stronger than he did at this point last spring.
“That’s 60 pitches right there and I felt like I could’ve kept going and it’s only my third start — second real start with fans and everything,” Hicks said.
On the topic of velocity, Hicks’ splitter sat in the 88-89 mph range on Sunday against the Padres. Last season, Hicks’ splitter clocked in at 84.3 mph. Of the 373 splitters that Hicks threw last season, only eight were thrown at least 88 mph.
“I think it’s a little firmer, and that comes with everything else,” Hicks said. “Added velo on the fastball is going to add my splitter. … That’s a healthy increase splitter velocity wise whenever I’m increasing my fastball.”
Hicks had a fine enough start to his afternoon, tossing two efficient scoreless innings and working his way out of hitters counts. The third inning, though, got a little squirrely.
The frame began with back-to-back singles from Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario, neither being hit all that hard. With runners on first and third, Hicks fired a first-pitch sinker to Connor Joe that missed inside and clocked in at 100 mph — a sudden velocity spike given Hicks was sitting in the 95-96 mph range. Hicks’ triple-digit heater forced pitching coach J.P. Martinez to visit Hicks on the mound to calm him down.
“I shouldn’t have let that frustrate me as much and keep moving on to the next pitch,” Hicks said.
Hicks couldn’t dig himself out of the trouble. Joe doubled in a run, then Hicks gifted the Padres a run on a 100 mph wild pitch. Gurriel drove in Joe with a double of his own, Elias Días drew a walk and that was the end of Hicks’ inning. Right-hander Ryan Watson, a minor-league reliever, entered for Hicks and recorded three straight outs, but the damage was done.
Five batters. Three runs. No outs.
Hicks re-entered to begin the fourth inning and retired the first two batters he faced before being removed from the game for good. The right-hander finished his day with his velocity in a more manageable place, getting back down to the 95-96 mph range.
“My wrist was a little stiff. Overall, I think I’ll find the zone more in the next outing,” Hicks said. “But that up-and-in miss was pretty consistent today.”
Roupp roughed up vs. Cubs
Right-hander Landen Roupp has firmly entrenched himself in the competition for the fifth spot in the Giants’ rotation, entering Sunday having thrown 8 1/3 shutout innings with 11 strikeouts over his first three Cactus League starts. His outing in Mesa against the Chicago Cubs represented a setback.
Roupp had his worst outing of the spring as the Giants beat the Cubs 8-6, at Sloan Park, allowing five earned runs over 3 2/3 innings on seven hits (one home run). Tough start aside, Roupp still owns a 3.75 ERA this spring with 14 strikeouts to one walk over 12 innings.
Giants stage comeback in Mesa
Over in Mesa, the Giants put up a five-spot in the top of the ninth inning to overcome a three-run deficit and beat the Cubs.
All of the offense derived from San Francisco’s minor leaguers. Shortstop Aeverson Arteaga, who played 21 games for High-A Eugene last season, sliced the deficit to 6-4 with a solo home run, then catcher Adrián Sugastey singled home a run to cut the Cubs’ lead to 6-5.
Down to their last out, infielder Sabin Ceballos, acquired from the Braves when the Giants traded Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson to the Braves, hit a go-ahead three-run homer.
Worth noting
- Heliot Ramos was slotted into leadoff against the Padres, a spot in the batting order that he hit five times last season. Melvin said that Ramos could potentially bat leadoff against left-handed pitchers. Ramos reached base twice with a walk and a hit.
- Outfielder Wade Meckler left the Giants’ game against the Cubs in the first inning after diving for Ian Happ’s line drive and faceplanting on the outfield warning track. Meckler was able to walk off under his own power and was replaced by Hunter Bishop.
- LaMonte Wade Jr. hit his second home run of Cactus League play during the Giants’ road game against the Cubs.