Photos: Battle of the Bay in the desert as San Francisco Giants take on Oakland Athletics
The San Francisco Giants beat the Oakland Athletics during their Cactus League Opener at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona.
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New San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler secured his first win with his new club during their Cactus League opener on Sunday.
The Giants defeated the A’s 5-3 at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa as Sean Hjelle made his pitching debut. He was the last pitcher to enter Sunday’s game and forced a pair of flyouts to right field before inducing a soft groundout to pick up a save.
Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers pitched two perfect innings in his Cactus League debut. He threw all of his pitches — four seamer, sinker, slider, changeup, curveball — with one strikeout and was supported by fans of both teams including KC Sandstrom and Judy Lehman, who made a sign that said: “Mike Fiers for president. Can I have a ball?”
Fiers, who was the whistleblower in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scheme, and said that he’s received death threats.
The pair didn’t get a ball, but Fiers certainly noticed the sign.
“One (sign) said Mike Fiers for president,” Fiers said at his locker. “It’s always good to see positive responses.”