SF splits a 4-game set with Philly

GIANTS

Hicks threw a career-high 105 pitches, seven innings

Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, right, looks on as second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald, left, makes a catch against the Phillies on Wednesday in Philadelphia. CHRIS SZAGOLA — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Justice delos Santos

Bay Area News Group

PHILADELPHIA >> In a word, Jordan Hicks’ start against the Philadelphia Phillies could best be described as odd.

The good: Hicks matched his career-high of seven innings. The bad: Hicks allowed five earned runs in the process. The weird: Hicks allowed all five runs in the first yet still threw a career-high 105 pitches, having his share of words for the Phillies’ bench and, at times, the umpiring crew in the process. It was one of the most abnormal starts — if not the most abnormal start — by a Giants pitcher this year, one that ended with San Francisco losing to Philadelphia, 6-4, on Thursday afternoon to split a four-game series.

Hicks began his afternoon by allowing the first four batters that he faced to reach base, setting the stage for a five-run first inning that required Hicks to throw 33 pitches. The right-hander appeared headed for an abbreviated afternoon, but Hicks proceeded to allow no runs over the next six innings.

Tempers between Hicks and the Phillies began to flare a little bit in the bottom of the fourth.

With no outs and a runner on first, Hicks fired a 100 mph sinker to the Phillies’ Alec Bohm, but home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi called time right as Hicks was beginning his windup and the pitch didn’t count. Hicks expressed visual displeasure and exchanged some words with Cuzzi before stepping back on the rubber.

On the very next pitch, Hicks induced a 4-6-3 double play as first baseman Casey Schmitt picked shortstop Christian Koss’ throw out of the dirt. Hicks, though, continued expressing frustration, so much so that third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Sam Huff went out to the mound. Hicks, Chapman and Huff were joined on the mound by Cuzzi and third base umpire Dan Bellino. After striking out Bryson Stott to end the inning, Hicks chipped with Stott as he walked off the field.

Manager Bob Melvin decided to send Hicks out for the seventh inning despite Hicks’ pitch count being at 94 pitches, and Hicks rewarded his manager’s trust by completing seven innings for the second time in his career.

Hicks’ afternoon ended in a bit of an odd manner, too. After completing the seventh, Hicks and Cuzzi had more words for one another with Cuzzi appearing to play the role of instigator, leading Melvin to intervene and diffuse the situation.