Crick, Mejia pace Scorpions to victory

The news that Tim Lincecum will stick around for two more years means San Francisco shouldn't be wanting for pitching options in the near future. While the final details on that deal were being hammered, though, a pair of future Giants showcased their talents in Arizona.

San Francisco's top prospect Kyle Crick started for Scottsdale and was relieved by the Giants' No. 19 prospect Adelberto Mejia as the duo combined for five one-run innings in a 5-1 victory over Glendale.

The Scorpions have won four straight since beginning the Arizona Fall League season 2-6.

Crick logged 1 2/3 innings as the starter. He allowed just one hit -- a solo homer to Dodgers prospect Brian Cavazos-Galvez -- while striking out three and walking three.

The right-hander worked quickly through the first inning, going 1-2-3 with a pair of strikeouts. After retiring Twins prospect Max Kepler on a popup to begin the second, Crick ran into trouble, allowing the home run to Cavazos-Galvez and then issuing three straight walks.

He rebounded by striking out Miami farmhand Danny Black before giving way to Mejia, who struck out No. 8 White Sox prospect Marcus Semien to end the inning.

"I feel like they were tough," Crick said of the Desert Dogs. "They had a lot of Triple-A guys and I was just trying to pound the zone as much as possible."

Crick sports a 6.75 ERA over three AFL starts. In 6 2/3 innings, he's struck out 12 batters, but also walked eight and allowed the one home run.

The 20-year-old added he couldn't pin his control issues on anything in particular, saying, "I feel like I just need to get in a groove, get a good start in and cruise from there."

Mejia, meanwhile, started his day with the Semien strikeout and never let up. The Dominican left-hander struck out five and allowed just one hit over 3 1/3 innings, slimming his AFL ERA down to 10.13 in his fourth appearance.

"He's got great stuff," Crick said of his fellow Giants farmhand. "He's a young guy like me, still learning how to pitch. He pounded the zone.

"He's got a good slider and he had good fastball command today and that's what led to his success."

Crick and Mejia were teammates this summer for Class A Advanced San Jose in the California League, and both performed well on the circuit after dealing with injuries early in the season. Crick posted a 1.57 ERA in 14 starts with 95 strikeouts and 39 walks in 68 2/3 innings. Mejia managed a 3.31 ERA in 16 starts, posting an 89-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 87 frames.

"We all pick up each other and pick up things off each other," Crick said. "We learn more from each other than anyone else."

Braves prospect Kyle Kubitza paced the Scottsdale offense with two hits, a walk and a run scored.