Kevin Gausman leaves game due to hip tightness

Giants right-hander Kevin Gausman left today’s start after six innings due to tightness in his left hip, the team announced.  The removal was specified as being precautionary in nature, so it remains to be seen whether or not Gausman’s issue is anything serious or if the Giants were just taking it easy with their ace.

San Francisco already held a 5-0 lead over the Dodgers at the time of Gausman’s removal and he had thrown six innings, though the righty wasn’t showing any signs of fatigue.  Gausman had tossed only 72 pitches while allowing two hits over six scoreless frames of work.  In his final out of the sixth, however, Gausman did have to make a stretch to field a Matt Beaty grounder, which may have led to the hip problem.

Counting his quality start today, Gausman now has a tiny 1.40 ERA over 70 2/3 innings in 2021.  With a 30.86% strikeout rate, 5.95% walk rate, and a host of impressive Statcast numbers, Gausman has put himself in the early running for Cy Young Award consideration.  In addition to helping the Giants contend for a playoff spot, Gausman is also positioning himself as one of the top arms available in next winter’s free agent market.