Gausman impresses in 2 innings of work

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Kevin Gausman’s first appearance of the spring after getting an $18.9 million qualifying offer was crisp and easy — just what the Giants would want to see.

Gausman threw 18 pitches, nine in each of his two innings, and he was throwing his fastball consistently around the 97 mph mark in the team’s 98 win over Colorado. He allowed just one hit, a double by Josh Fuentes, and the only other hardhit ball was a lineout by Brendan Rodgers that turned into two outs when shortstop Brandon Crawford doubled off Fuentes.

“It’s nice to end the outing with a double play, save a couple extra pitches for the next one,” said Gausman.

“To be honest, I wasn’t as sharp as I’ve been, I missed some locations, especially when I was trying to go way up in the zone and left it more belt high and (Fuentes) hit that double in the gap.”

It was the first time pitching at Scottsdale Stadium for Gausman, and also his first time pitching to catcher Buster Posey. Spring training ended before he managed to do either last year, then Posey opted out of the regular season.

“It was nice to have him back there, and we kind of joked earlier in the morning — I said, ‘Hey, you’re probably catching me,’ and he was like, ‘Well, you’re finally in a game,’ ” Gausman said. “I look forward to working with him and kind of creating that unique batterymate relationship. We definitely bounce ideas off of each other.”

Rule 5 draftee Dedniel Núñez left with wrist soreness one out in the seventh after walking three batters and with his velocity down a few ticks. Manager Gabe Kapler said he was lifted for precautionary reasons and that Núñez will get a scan.

Outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe will miss 68 weeks with a left wrist sprain.

Top outfield prospect Heliot Ramos had two more hits, lifting his average to .450, and he drove in a run. Joe McCarthy had a double, drove in two runs and scored three.

After missing nearly three weeks of regular springtraining workouts, Giants first baseman Brandon Belt took part in batting practice for the first time this camp and he also did some defensive work. Kapler has described the reason for Belt’s absence “a nonCOVIDrelated illness.”

The Giants are increasing their limitedattendance capacity for spring by several hundred, starting with Saturday’s game at Scottsdale Stadium.