Giants might do well to shut down lefty Jonathan Sanchez - MLB

Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez allowed four runs on six hits and three walks Saturday in San Francisco’s World Series Game 3 loss to the Rangers. Before that, he was touched up for two earned runs in a two-inning outing against the Phillies. He’s in line to make another start at the end of the seven-game Fall Classic, but many are arguing that he shouldn’t be allowed to take the hill again. And it’s not a bad argument.

Sanchez, 27, threw a career-high 193.1 innings during the 2010 regular season and has tacked on another 20 frames since the playoffs began. His highest innings total before 2010 was 163.1. He is tired, and it’s showing on the diminished velocity of his fastball and the lack of effectiveness seen on his breaking pitches.

The Giants might be wise to go with 21-year-old Madison Bumgarner in a potential Game 7. Sanchez is more experienced, sure, but he bears little resemblance right now to the crafty southpaw that struck out 205 batters during the regular season. Bumgarner, meanwhile, only seems to be getting stronger.

Sanchez told Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News that he feels “good” and that he’s not “down” about his poor postseason efforts. But that’s what any prideful pitcher is going to say.

The right move for Giants manager Bruce Bochy is to trust the youngster.

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks less than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained right groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured list, but the Orioles are hoping Hicks can help defensively in the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was released last week by the New York Yankees with more than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

“We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time.”

The Orioles are responsible for paying Hicks just $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum salary. The Yankees owe him the rest of his $10.5 million salary this year, plus $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 team option.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit just .188 in 28 games for the Yankees this year.

“We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective,” Elias said. “It’s very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here.”

Hicks batted .216 last season.

“Hopefully that’s a good thing for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the Baltimore deal. “A lot of time here and a lot of good things happened for him here. I know the last couple of years have been a struggle. But hopefully it’s a good opportunity for him and certainly wish him well. Not too well being in our division and a team we’re chasing, but hopefully it’s a really good fit for him.”

Mullins left a loss to Cleveland after he pulled up while running out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser – the fifth pick in the draft two years ago – is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went on the IL in the past couple weeks.

“Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric’s injury,” Elias said. “We’ll just see where we’re at.”

Hicks was active for the game but not in the starting lineup. Austin Hays, normally Baltimore’s left field, was in Mullins’ usual spot in center.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed significantly back before last season, it made left field a bigger challenge defensively.

“In this park … you really need two center fielders,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Aaron’s got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting.”