It’s been a hard season for all involved.

But amid the carnage, the Sharks appear to have found another piece to build around. A big piece.

Winger Klim Kostin scored again Monday in the Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken at SAP Center, giving him eight points in 12 games since he came to San Jose on March 8 in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings.

Kostin, at 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, is the Sharks’ largest player and fits right into general manager Mike Grier’s stated intention of building a team that’s hard to play against and in the opposition’s face. Certainly, Kostin hasn’t been afraid to throw his weight around, with 12 hits in his last six games.

“He’s a big player. He makes plays, he’s physical, he’s good around the net,” Sharks defenseman Kyle Burroughs said of Kostin. “Plays with a little bit of an edge, which is fun to see. He’s fit in pretty seamlessly.

“He (has some) stink to his game and a bit of snarl, and we like that.”

“I (don’t) really like big hits. I (don’t) really like to hurt guys,” the soft-spoken Kostin said. “But when the game goes that way, we’ve got to answer.”

Kostin had five hits Monday in a sometimes chippy affair with the Kraken. But he’s also showing the type of skill that made him a St. Louis Blues first-round draft pick in 2017.

After being used mostly as a fourth-liner thus far in his NHL career, Kostin is flourishing in a bigger role, as he’s playing with Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund on the Sharks’ top line.

In the second period Monday, Kostin showed his soft hands with a deft deflection of a Marc-Edouard Vlasic shot that got past Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer, bringing the Sharks to within one.

“He’s a hockey player,” Sharks coach David Quinn said of Kostin. “He’s got poise with the puck. He’s not afraid to make a play. If he can’t make a play, he protects it. So there’s a lot to like about him.

“He’s a first-round talent and is making the most of his opportunity.”

Kostin, 25, certainly welcomed a change of scenery after he sat out eight of nine Red Wings games before the trade deadline – even if it was to the NHL’s last-place team.

“Playing with guys like (Granlund and Zetterlund), obviously you’re going to have some points, some goals, and some assists because they’re good players,” Kostn said. “I just feel alive again and enjoying hockey with the Sharks.

“Just want to pay back the coaching (staff for their) trust.”

Why do you feel alive, Kostin was asked.

“Ice time,” Kostin deadpanned, as he’s averaged nearly 15 minutes per game with the Sharks compared to 8:43 with the Red Wings.

“I really hope I can stay here and be a big part of the team,” he added. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here, enjoying the guys, enjoying the staff and everyone on the team.”

Kostin has one more year left on his contract that carries an average annual value of $2 million. He’s one of nine players on the Sharks’ roster right now who are 25 years old or younger.

Up front are William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, Filip Zadina, Zetterlund, and Givani Smith, and the young crowd on the back end includes Mario Ferraro, Calen Addison, and Henry Thrun. More prospects are in the pipeline.

Kostin diagnosed perfectly what the Sharks (17-49-8) need going forward.

“We have a lot of young guys so we’re missing a few, I would say, superstars that we need, like experienced guys,” Kostin said. “We’re building for next season.”

It’ll be a challenge for the rebuilding Sharks to bring in an established superstar for next season. Those kinds of players likely need to be drafted.

But if the Sharks win the NHL Draft Lottery, they will select Macklin Celebrini, a centerman who has drawn comparisons to former Chicago Blackhawks great Jonathan Toews.

In the meantime, Kostin appears to be a player the Sharks would like to have around for a while and be a part of the solution.

“I think his best hockey is ahead of him, for sure,” Quinn said. “He’s got eight games here to finish strong, but it’s going to be a big, big summer for him because I think if he does the things he needs to do and should do this summer, he can make a big jump.”

One thing you would do as GM of the 49ers to make sure we beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl? (@connor_p.g)

One thing? Have you seen how much the 49ers have altered their defense since the Chiefs outlasted them in Vegas? They’ve changed defensive coordinators. They’ve welcomed new defenders and bid farewell to others, including Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell, and Oren Burks. And they haven’t re-signed Tashaun Gipson or Logan Ryan. One more thing? I’d use the first-round pick on a defensive end who was born to sack Patrick Mahomes — or stop him on a fourth-and-1 run with the Super Bowl on the line.

49ers Super Bowl dynasty? LIX (59) and LX (60)? (@jbati_8052)

Look, they need to win their first Super Bowl in THIRTY years before banking on a repeat. It reminds me of when a 49ers rookie walked up to John Madden some 20 years ago; he asked Madden how many Super Bowls he’d won, and after Madden replied one (the Raiders’ first in 1976), the player said he was going to win three, to which Madden countered: “I’d just worry about getting that first one, if I were you.” That player won none.

If the 49ers trade up in the first round, what position do they target? (@podman61)

Offensive tackle or defensive end, although wide receiver is in play if the 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Tackle is the more common prediction, but I say that’s more for insurance in case Trent Williams retires in the next year or two, rather than an immediate replacement for right tackle Colton McKivitz, who just got an extension through 2025. Not a lot of defensive ends are generating hype, which could allow the 49ers to sneak up for one to learn behind Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd.

Why is Jed talking about Purdy asking for something no one has ever asked for before? (@dcl24sc)?

York, at last week’s NFL owners meeting, foreshadowed how Brock Purdy’s 2025 extension could be the largest in team history. If he joins the club of NFL quarterbacks making over $40 million annually, Purdy’s deal would eclipse the 49ers’ last year for defensive end Nick Bosa (five years, $170 million), as well as the 2018 gamble that briefly made Jimmy Garoppolo the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback (five years, $137.5 million).

Purdy’s contract can’t be adjusted until after he completes this upcoming, third season. On top of his $870,000 last season, he received $739,795 from the NFL’s performance-based pay program, the NFL announced Monday. (Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir earned an additional $790,744 through that system that factors in playing time and compensation compared to teammates; he had a $940,000 in base salary.)

Who gets a long-term deal first, Aiyuk or J.J.? (@bigev49er)

My money (OK, the Yorks’ money) is on Jauan Jennings, only because his contract should be less complicated than the extension that Aiyuk should get as training camp opens. Both wide receivers are under 49ers control for 2024: Aiyuk’s fifth-year option calls for a $14.1 million salary, while Jennings drew a $4.9 million tender he’s expected to sign as a restricted free agent. Whereas Jennings might give the 49ers a hometown discount, AIyuk should not.

Please keep Brandon Aiyuk!! (@mj_arroyo)

Your wish should be granted in about four months, seeing how the 49ers typically let their money accrue interest in the bank until camp approaches and urgency prompts them to make a deal for their annual homegrown star. Aiyuk is understandably anxious, saying he wants what he deserves or else he’ll walk, though the 49ers shouldn’t dare trade Brock Purdy’s favorite target. “We’ve got professionals working on both sides, so hopefully we can come to a professional agreement and continue to play professional football,” Aiyuk said on last week’s Nightcap podcast.

Aiyuk said he was in the facility last week. Do the players normally use the equipment for working out or rehab? (@Michael21985873)

Aiyuk, on that same podcast, indeed noted that he’d been at the 49ers’ headquarters, though he didn’t specify if he was looking into contract matters or training on his own. Players rehabilitating from injuries can do so there. Otherwise, the voluntary offseason program starts April 15, with six organized team activity sessions set between May 20-31; the mandatory minicamp is June 4-6.

When does the season start? (@lowkss_213)

Thursday, Sept. 5 is the scheduled start, kicking off with The Team That Beat The 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. The next day, the NFL plays its first regular-season game in Brazil, between the Philadelphia Eagles and a team to be announced, though reports predict it will be the Cleveland Browns or the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers have opened on the road five of the past six seasons.

Likelihood the Niners get to the Super Bowl next season and avoid the typical hangover? (@the_blair__)

Their offense returns intact, their defense welcomes back stars at every level, and their overall experience makes them the widespread favorite to win Super Bowl LIX, according to the sportsbooks. A runner-up hangover hasn’t derailed their past two seasons after NFC Championship Game defeats. The Silver Slugger Award is theirs come Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

Are we done signing (free agents), and, if not, what are names we might add? (@matty__maff; @Michael_budd)

I’d expect a signing or two, just not a cap-crunching deal. They can fill their receiver/returner need by bringing back Richie James or Trent Taylor, or by chasing Deonte Harty or Jamal Agnew. A slew of veteran safeties remain available. Mid-April signings in recent years brought in defensive lineman Arden Key (2021), running back Wayne Gallman (2021), defensive end Kemoko Turay (2022), wide receiver Chris Conley (2023), and defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. (2023).

Is anyone around the league recruiting special-teams players or coaches from the XFL to deal with the new kickoff rules? (@sluggishcheetah)

The XFL merged with the USFL to form the UFL, whose season began Saturday. So, those experts are busy, but the 49ers can rely on veteran special-teams coordinator Brian Schneider to plot their approach. More kickoff returns are expected, but that would not entice me to expose a big-time playmaker such as Christian McCaffrey or Deebo Samuel in that still-hazardous, specialized role, at least not until the stakes rise for the playoffs.

Given Kyle’s comments during the league meetings and their past draft history (or lack thereof), how certain are we that they’ll actually address the offensive line in the draft? (@KevinAMolina)

They have 10 picks. They have needs, at least for better competition and depth. Just because they did not draft an offensive lineman last year doesn’t mean they hate doing so. Their starters include left guard Aaron Banks (2021 second round), right tackle Colton McKivitz (2020 fifth round) and, at times, right guard Spencer Burford (2022 fourth round). Anybody they draft in the first three rounds could challenge for a starting job, and if it’s a tackle, then he perhaps he’s envisioned as a successor to All-Pro Trent Williams.

Will Dre Greenlaw be ready for Week 1? (@jacob.problemz.19)

The 49ers are not publicly pushing for that timeline, even if Greenlaw is personally intending to come back in time from his Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. Lynch indicated last week that Greenlaw could very well start the season on the Physically Unable To Perform list, which would keep him out at least the first four games. Hence, they signed De’Vondre Campbell in free agency as both a potential replacement and starter.

Will the 49ers go with the best-player-available malarkey from the draft or select players to fit specific roster needs? (@MrEd315)

It’s typically a balance of both, but they should lean more on BPA because this roster is not as needy as those of past years. Then again, this draft should pay off in 2025-27 and beyond, not necessarily 2024.

The games were important for both teams, as Chico State (9-17, 8-12 California Collegiate Athletic Association) sits in eighth place in the CCAA standings and Monterey Bay (13-20, 7-13 CCAA) is in 11th.

After a scoreless first seven innings in game one, Monterey Bay’s Faith Soriano hit a walk-off inside the park solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Chico pitcher Katelyn Oldwin. Amelie Valdez tossed 5 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, three walks and struck out one, before Olden pitched the final two innings and allowed two hits, one earned run and struck out one.

Tayler Berens had two of Chico’s four hits, as the Otters out-hit Chico 7-4.

In game two Olden pitched a complete game to earn her third win of the season, allowing six hits, five walks while striking out five. Ali Lewis led Chico with two hits, both doubles, and Lewis and Hannah Levy had one RBI each. Both of Chico’s runs came in the top of the third inning.

With the two wins Saturday, Chico State took three of four games against Monterey Bay to win the series.

Chico State will return home to begin a four game series against Cal State East Bay at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday in Chico. The Wildcats and Pioneers will face off at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Wildcats have four four-game series left remaining in the regular season, before the CCAA playoffs begin May 1 at Cal State San Marcos.

First flight low gross: Kelly MacKinnon, 82. Game: 1, Debi McDermont, 30; 2, Karla Dreiss, 30.5. Second flight low gross: tie, Sandy Fortino and Janet Ford, 96. Game: 1, Cindy Bell, 25.5; 2, Pam Coleman, 29.5. Third flight low gross; Liz Mosher, 105. Game: 1, Barbara Lutz, 29.5; 2, Susan Pease, 30.5; 3, Sue Blizman, 31. Closest to pin on No. 2: 1, Gail Johnson; 2, Dreiss; 3, Mosher.

Butte Creek Country Club

The turnout was light for the Butte Creek Women’s Golf Club’s tournament last week, primarily because of inclement weather and the greens have also been recently plugged and sanded. The game format was “Tee to Green” excluding the putts in the game score. The top three players earning a little golf shop credit were: 1, Karen Fearon, 41; 2, Paula Rich, 42; 3, Sally Hayes, 43.

Looking back 10 years to April 8, 2014

Spectacular shots

Brian Bowen (the Nissan man) recorded his first hole-in-one on the 11th hole at Canyon Oaks. Bowen’s perfect 135-yard, 9-iron tee shot was also observed disappearing into the cup by his playing companions, Randy Cook and Scott McLeod. Perhaps there is some reward after all for donating a new car each year to benefit the Almond Bowl football game.

Canyon Oaks Country Club

In addition to their regular weekly outing, the Canyon Oaks CC Women’s Golf Club held a two-person 6-6-6 format tournament, 6-holes alternate shot, 6-holes scramble and 6-holes best ball. The team of Evie Spring and Linda Harris garnered first place with a team score of 68.3. Nancy Taylor and Shelley Carney finished one stroke back for the second spot. Finishing third was the team of Vickie Spelts and Nancy Vieira at 70.6.

In its weekly tournament, Carney was both low gross and low net in the first flight, as well as taking first in the game portion. Taylor took second via the card-off procedure over Fran Wedow. In the second flight, Jackie Drakulic followed Carney’s lead taking both low gross and low net and first in their game. Joan Wagoner and Carol finished second and third respectively. Closest to the pin winners were: 1, Taylor; 2, Ellie Fairchild; 3, Vieira.

Butte Creek Country Club

Shawn Blofsky and Darren Normoyle tied for first place low net in the Casa Munras Invitational Tournament held at Butte Creek. Bruce Hubbell took the third spot with a net 69. Derrick Shultz, Assistant Golf Professional at Butte Creek, took low gross with a one-under par score of 70. Jim Wilson finished second in the gross division with a score of 76. Dan Normoyle and Rich Attinger (70) tied for fourth place net.

Shultz is now off to Florida for his second session in his quest to become a Class A, PGA Golf Professional. Tom Pyeatt, Assistant Professional at Canyon Oaks CC, recently successfully completed his second session. One more trip to Florida for their third and final session and both will become full-fledged Class A, Pros. Good luck!

Irma Jenkins and Sherian Hornbeak finished first and second in the Butte Creek CC Women’s Golf Club monthly Medallion Day Tournament. Betty Dean and Bonnie Ford followed suit in the second flight. Cilla Hauer and Suzy Mann claimed the honor in the third flight.

Table Mountain Golf Course

The Table Mountain GC Women’s Golf Club held their monthly pro-points tournament last week. Sally Stemen (84) was low gross. Mary Borgo (72) was low net on the day. Others placing in the net category were: 1, Janet Ott; 2, Sue Snow (73); Kris McGee (76); 4, Sandy Goble (79).

The Table Mountain GC Men’s Golf Club played a 4-Man Shamble, 2-Best Ball format for their weekly tournament. First flight winners were Tony Baptista, Vic Goble, Jerry McGee and Arvo Voip. Joe Nehl, Albert Nelson, Stephen McCarthy and Jeff Young won the second flight. First place third flight: Billy Harp, Jerry Pagel, Larry White, and a blind draw. Closest to the pin winners on the four, par-three holes were: Dan Flippin; Brent Bills, Jim Buck and Jamie Scharff.

Quotes

The Magistrate of Brussels, in 1360; “Whoever plays ball with a club shall be fined 20 shillings, or their upper garment.”

Kirk Sessions of Boharm in 1658; “James Waldie to have plaid at the golfe with the herds of Mulben; being found guilty they were rebuked for making so little conscience of the Lord’s day, and ordained to make their publick repentance three Lord’s days.”

Thomas Smollett in 1771; “Of this diversion the Scots are so fond, that, when the weather will permit, you may see a multitude of all ranks, from the senator of justice to the lowest tradesman, mingled together, in their shirts, and following the balls with utmost eagerness.”

Benjamin Rush (American Founding Father), circa 1800; “Golf is an exercise which is much used by the Gentlemen of Scotland. A large common, in which there are several little holes, is chosen for the purpose. It is played with little leather balls stuffed with feathers; and sticks made somewhat in the form of a hand-wicket.”

Lord Northbourne (at the presentation ceremonies after Walter Travis became the first American to win the British Amateur in 1904); “Never since the days of Caesar has the British nation been subjected to such humiliation.”

Chi-Chi Rodriguez; “I think most of the golf rules stink. They were written by guys who can’t even break a hundred.”

Ed Anderson’s local golf column appears Tuesdays. He can be reached at edanderson1936@gmail.com.

The A’s committed five errors in the first three innings against the Boston Red Sox in their 9-0 loss on Monday night to become the first team in 29 years with at least 13 fielding miscues in the first five games of the season.

The mistakes came early with catcher Shea Langeliers throwing a ball into center field on a stolen base attempt by Jarren Duran two batters into the game.

Two more errors came in the second inning with center fielder JJ Bleday dropping Emmanuel Valdez’s drive to the warning track for a two-base errors and right fielder Lawrence Butler throwing the ball away on a sacrifice fly, allowing a second run to score.

Two more miscues followed in the third with first baseman Ryan Noda throwing the ball away on an infield hit by Valdez and starter Joe Boyle making a wild throw on a pickoff attempt at second base.

The A’s have made at least one error in every game with the 13 the most in the first five games of a season since the Chicago White Sox had 18 in 1995. It’s also the most errors in the first five games of a season for the franchise since the Philadelphia had 16 in 1923.

Tanner Houck struck out 10 batters in six scoreless innings to get the victory in front of an announced crowd of 6,618 fans.

“He was excellent,” manager Alex Cora said. “Mixed up his pitches. Repeated his delivery. He was the aggressor the whole night. He was ahead in the count and induced weak contact and got swings and misses.”

Jarren Duran had three hits and three steals in the first three innings, Trevor Story added a two-run double and Ceddanne Rafaela hit two sacrifice flies to help Boston score eight runs in the first three innings against the mistake-prone A’s.

Houck (1-0) did the rest with the latest strong start for Boston, allowing three hits and no walks. Through one turn through the rotation, all five starters for the Red Sox have gone at least five innings and allowed two runs or fewer. The quintet has allowed four runs overall in 28 innings, while striking out 37 and walking only one batter.

Chase Anderson finished the four-hitter for his first save.

Joe Boyle (0-1) allowed eight runs — seven earned — and eight hits in 2 2-3 innings in his first start of the season to take the loss for Oakland.

But he got no help from his teammates with the five early errors.

“We couldn’t get out of our way the first three innings,” manager Mark Kotsay said.

“We’re going to push the envelope as a group,” Cora said. “Yeah, they struggled defensively, but we put pressure on them, too.”

Oakland also became the first team in seven years to commit at least five errors in the first three innings of a game with Seattle the last to do it on Aug, 27, 2017, against the New York Yankees.

“I wish I had an answer for the defense right now,” Kotsay said. “They’re going to have to get better. That’s just all there is to it. These first five games, if you told me we were going to play as bad defensively as this, I would have said you’re dead wrong. We’ll see how they respond tomorrow.”

It proved costly, as the Seattle Kraken most of their damage in the first 20 minutes and handed the Sharks a 4-2 loss before an announced crowd of 11,559 at SAP Center.

The Sharks, coming off a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, allowed goals to Matty Beniers, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Shane Wright and never recovered, as they lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

“You have to be engaged physically if you’re going to give yourself a chance, and we weren’t anything like that in the first 20 minutes,” Sharks coach David Quinn said. “It got better in the last 40, but not to the level that we need it to be.”

Monday’s game represented a chance for the Sharks to win back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 22 and 23, when they beat the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers to extend their then-winning streak to three games.

Even after the slow start, the Sharks only trailed 3-2 going into the third period.

With the Sharks down by two, Mikael Granlund controlled the puck behind the Seattle net and sent it back to the point for Calen Addison. The puck then found its way over to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who fired the puck toward Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer.

The shot was tipped by Klim Kostin past Grubauer, giving him his seventh goal of the season and his fourth since he came to the Sharks on March 8 from the Detroit Red Wings for defenseman Radim Simek.

“All year, I think our resilience is something that we pride ourselves on,” Sharks defenseman Kyle Burroughs said. “Being able to climb back and never say die and keep fighting.”

The Sharks turned the puck over in their own zone, and after he found a soft spot in the Sharks’ end, Beniers took a pass from Bjorkstrand and fired it past Mackenzie Blackwood for a 1-0 Kraken lead.

Bjorkstrand and Wright also scored in the first period for the Kraken, goals sandwiched around a power play marker by Fabian Zetterlund at the 14:19 mark.

Blackwood, making his fourth straight start, made seven saves in the first period and eight more in the second. He finished with 29 saves.

Blackwood had to be terrific in the first period in the Sharks’ last two games as well, as the skaters in front of him could not generate many offensive opportunities. In the first period of both games, they were outchanced, per Natural Stat Trick, 22-5.

“There’s a pattern going on now where we’ve gotten off to bad starts the last three games,” Quinn said. “We have to do a better job of being ready to go at the drop of the puck. You don’t have much of a chance in this league when you’re only playing 40 minutes.”

San Jose lost 3-1 to the Wild, but beat the Blues 4-0, improving as both games went on.

“You don’t want to give up a goal 29 seconds into a game,” Sharks defenseman Kyle Burroughs said. “It’s not the way you want to start, it doesn’t set the tone well. Obviously, we’re going to have to be better about that moving forward and correct that.”

All it takes is a glance at the slip of paper Dave Roberts fills out each day to comprehend the challenge of going up against this mighty Dodgers squad, a 100-win team that only got better this winter. They spent a billion dollars and brought in baseball’s biggest star to an already well-oiled operation that has had its grip on the National League West for the better part of the past decade.

And yes, facing Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in succession proved to be as difficult as it looked on paper.

Making his first start of the season in Monday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium, Keaton Winn pitched well but wasn’t able to contain the big three in Los Angeles’ lineup, who powered their vaunted squad to an 8-3 win over the Giants in the first of 13 meetings between the archrivals this season.

“That’s a lot of high-powered guys, for sure,” Winn said. “You’ve really got to focus up and make pitches, especially the first five guys.”

Some combination of Betts, Ohtani and Freeman played a role in six of the Dodgers’ eight runs. The trio combined for six hits — four for extra bases — in 11 at-bats, scoring six runs and driving in three more. Catcher Will Smith, their cleanup hitter, also reached base three times and drove in a pair of runs.

“It is what it is, right? They have a good team,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Top of the lineup is about as good as any in baseball. We’ve just got to try to navigate it better.”

The rest of the lineup went 1-for-19, the one hit being a three-run homer from Teoscar Hernandez, which drove in Smith and Freeman, sending a slider from Tyler Rogers deep into the left field seats to break the game open, widening the Dodgers’ advantage to 6-1 in the sixth inning.

The 33 runs allowed by the Giants are more through the first five games than all but three other seasons in the team’s San Francisco history (1983, 2012, 2017), and 19 have come against their relievers.

“We can do better,” Melvin said of a group that has already had four members make their big-league debuts. “We also have some guys coming. That’s going to be key for us. Whether it’s Blake (Snell), Alex (Cobb), certainly Robbie Ray down the road. Closing games out is going to be key for us.”

After being slowed to start spring by elbow soreness, Winn only made two Cactus League starts prior to his first in the regular season Monday. The late start limited his workload, but he showed no signs of rust, racking up six strikeouts over his five innings.

The Dodgers swung and missed on 14 of Winn’s 89 pitches, the most whiffs any pitcher has totaled against the powerful lineup so far this season. His splitter was particularly lethal, using it to finish off four of his strikeouts, including one placed on the inside corner to ring up Freeman, but it was his slider that he threw 20 times that he was most encouraged by.

“I had to have thrown more sliders today than I threw all of last year combined,” Winn said, coming close (he threw 21 total last season). “Definitely going to build off the slider and the slider feel. It was the most I’ve ever thrown the pitch in a game. I thought I did pretty good with it. … Mainly it got guys off the split and fastball. That’s kind of what I fell into last year.”

The one walk issued by Winn, to Betts with one out in the third, came around to score when Ohtani ripped a double off the bag at first base and Freeman followed with a line drive single that screamed through the Giants infield playing on the cut of the grass with runners on second and third.

After taking eight walks in their 13-4 loss to the Padres on Sunday, Giants hitters earned five more free passes from Dodgers starter James Paxton.

But for the second straight game, they failed to capitalize, stranding nine men on base and a seventh-inning RBI single from Wilmer Flores amounting to their only hit in six at-bats with runners in scoring position.

A late addition to the lineup after bruising up his shoulder falling into the dugout the day before, Flores came up in the spots the Giants wanted against the left-hander, with two runners on base in the third and the bases loaded in the fifth, but grounded out each time before delivering in his third attempt.

A solo home run from Michael Conforto, his third of the season, got the Giants on the board in the sixth, after Paxton departed with five shutout innings on his record.

“You keep getting guys on base, you’re going to have the ability to do some damage. So just keep after it,” Melvin said. “We left some guys on base and didn’t really do well with runners in scoring position. But we will.”

Notable

Right-hander Nick Avila, 26, made his major-league debut in the seventh inning and got about as difficult an introduction to the big leagues as there is. Pitching the final two frames, Avila surrendered a pair of doubles to Betts and Freeman but notched a moment to remember, getting Ohtani to foul a 94 mph fastball into the glove of Tom Murphy to prevail in a seven-pitch battle with the sport’s highest-paid and highest-profile player.

“He’s probably the best hitter in baseball. Pretty cool to have that as my first strikeout,” said Avila, who got the ball and planned to get Ohtani to sign it. “It definitely was a hard AB, so I tip my cap to him. I just tried to beat him up (in the zone). I threw some cutters in and slipped a fastball right past him. I won that battle, but I’m sure I’ll face him again.”

Up next

The Giants will turn to their ace, Logan Webb, to snap their two-game skid in the second of three games at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles has not named a starter. Kyle Harrison will start the series finale Wednesday, and Jordan Hicks will get the ball for the home opener Friday against the Padres.

Then again, it’s not every day a guy batting .429 with a 1.232 OPS (albeit over seven at-bats) gets told he’s not good enough to play on a team that lost a franchise-record 112 games a year ago.

Ruiz, who had seen spot duty through the first week of the season after setting an AL rookie record with 67 steals last year, is being sent to Las Vegas to work on his on-base skills. The 25-year-old had a below-average on-base percentage of .308 a year ago, something A’s general manager David Forst said needs improvement.

“The reality is, to use his skills, he needs to get on base. He needs to be able to do that on a consistent basis,” Forst told reporters in explaining why Ruiz was sent down to make room for utilityman Tyler Nevin, claimed off waivers Sunday from Baltimore. “I’m hoping with everyday at-bats in Triple-A, it’s not a long stay for him down there.”

His inability to get on base consistently in spring training seemed to be a precursor to Monday’s move, since Ruiz had just a .295 on-base percentage over 61 at-bats in Arizona.

The 26-year-old Nevin, Ruiz’s roster replacement, is the oldest son of former big-league player and manager Phil Nevin. The younger Nevin was a 2015 first-round draft pick by Colorado and made his big-league debut with Baltimore in 2021. Nevin can fill in at first base, third base and the outfield.

Not only did Murphy help the Braves win the NL East, he had career-high of 21 homers, 68 RBIs and .844 OPS. Meanwhile, the A’s got Contreras from Atlanta and flipped both he and suddenly top-notch reliever Joel Payamps to the Brewers to acquire Ruiz.

All Contreras did was become what many believe is the majors’ best catcher while earning an All-Star berth and winning the NL’s Silver Slugger award in 2023, while batting .289 with 17 homers and 78 RBIs.

It looks even worse when you consider Contreras has done all that and will still make just $22,000 more than Ruiz’s $745,000 contract with the A’s this season.

Passing up the opportunity to debut at Dodger Stadium, Snell will make his first start Monday at home in the first game of the Giants’ series against the Washington Nationals. There was some belief he could start the series finale here Wednesday, but instead Snell will throw one more simulated game.

“You look at the build up you go through in spring training and it just didn’t feel like we’re there yet,” manager Bob Melvin said. “I think he’s going to feel a lot better.”

Snell threw 71 pitches over four innings at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday, racking up 11 strikeouts against Double-A competition. The Giants aim to get in the 70-80 pitch range again in his final tune-up Wednesday, the biggest difference being the setting — Dodger Stadium — and the competition, his own major-league teammates.

“It’s been pretty easy for him the first couple games,” Melvin said. “A lot of strikeouts with guys just sitting on the fastball. We can get some guys in there that will probably challenge him a little bit more. And then he’ll be ready to go after that.”

Following Keaton Winn, Logan Webb and Kyle Harrison will start the final games at Dodger Stadium. Jordan Hicks will get the nod Friday in the Giants’ home opener.

Flores shows toughness

Initially, the Giants’ lineup Monday against Dodgers lefty James Paxton didn’t include Wilmer Flores.

After Flores tumbled over the railing and into the first-base dugout at Petco Park, Melvin anticipated giving him at least a day to recover and penciled in Tyler Fitzgerald to make his first career start at first base. But shortly before the manager met with reporters before first pitch, he had a lineup change to announce: Flores was in there.

“Originally I thought there was no chance,” Melvin said. “It tells you a lot about him.”

While Flores said his right shoulder was still sore, “like when you get hit,” everything checked out when he went through hitting and throwing drills. It should come as no surprise after Flores petitioned to remain in the game Sunday after taking a nasty fall.

“Really, the reason he came out yesterday was he cut his finger pretty good and it was bleeding and we couldn’t get it stopped,” Melvin said. “He wanted to stay in the game.”

The late lineup change meant Flores’ primary first baseman’s mitt would be in use.

Had the Giants stuck with Fitzgerald, the do-it-all man had planned to employ Flores’ backup mitt. Hard to blame him for not owning one of his own, given he only picked up the position late this spring training as it became clear his path to the major-league roster was as a super-utility player.

Fitzgerald logged exactly one game at the position — during the Bay Bridge series — before being asked to start there in front of 55,000-plus at Dodger Stadium. Surely he had some experience there in high school or college? “Never,” he said. Little league? “My whole life.”

“The second time is tonight,” he said, or at least it would have been.

While he didn’t get the chance to break in Flores’ leather for him, expect to see Fitzgerald at first — and everywhere else — at some point this season.

He’s already crossed off pitching, covering eighth inning in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Padres. At shortstop, his natural position, Fitzgerald booted the first ground ball of the game, leading to four unearned runs, but said a day later, “I’ve always prided myself on defense, so yesterday was very upsetting. I’m excited. I’m not going to put any pressure on myself like I did yesterday, so hopefully I’ll be more calm than yesterday.”

Avila brings 15-0 record to bullpen

In need of coverage out of their bullpen, the Giants added a good luck charm with a roster move before Monday’s game.

At least that must be what Nick Avila is, after the righty won all 14 of his decisions for Triple-A Sacramento last season and, then, in his first appearance this year, earned the win again. While pitcher wins have fallen out of fashion, a 15-0 record in his past 15 decisions is almost absurd enough to matter.

“It was just like, are you serious, we’re starting off the year right where we left off last year,” Avila laughed from the visitor’s clubhouse. “I thought it was pretty funny. All the coaches were joking, ‘Gotta get the win, of course.’”

Avila took the roster spot of Daulton Jefferies, who was optioned to Triple-A after surrendering nine runs (five earned) over two innings in the 13-4 loss to the Padres. The Giants were in need of innings behind Keaton Winn, Monday’s starter, who is still building up after a late start to spring training.

Melvin said Avila, 26, would serve “a length role in the bullpen, which we kind of desperately need.

“Hopefully we don’t have to use him and we can get some innings out of Keaton. It’s nice to have that security blanket though.”

In other roster moves, the Giants reinstated Mike Yastrzemski from the paternity list following the birth Friday of his second child and first son with his wife, Paige. That spelled the end of Luis Matos’ brief stint with the big club, optioned back to Triple-A.

To clear space to add Avila the 40-man roster, infielder Otto Lopez was designated for assignment.

The other three recalls were goalie Devin Cooley, forward Thomas Bordeleau, and forward/defenseman Jacob MacDonald.

Studnicka, 25, will not play Monday night when the Sharks host the Seattle Kraken, as he flew from Calgary to San Diego with the Barracuda earlier in the day. He is expected to join the Sharks for their practice on Tuesday.

Studnicka played in nine games for the Sharks after he was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 15. He did not score but averaged 11:05 in ice time as the Sharks at the time were dealing with injuries to Logan Couture, Nico Sturm, and Ryan Carpenter.

The Sharks are also short centermen now.

Couture is out for the season with a groin injury and Luke Kunin, more of a natural winger, has been playing as the team’s second-line center in recent games after William Eklund was moved back to the wing. Former Sharks No. 1 center Tomas Hertl was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 8.

Studnicka, a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, had 14 points in 27 games with the Barracuda since he was assigned back to the AHL on Jan. 5.  For his NHL career, Studnicka has 16 points in 99 games.

The Sharks can still make emergency recalls from the Barracuda if injuries or illnesses drop the club below 12 available forwards, six available defensemen, or two goalies.

Earlier Monday, the Sharks announced that 2022 first-round draft pick Filip Bystedt, a center, is being reassigned to the Barracuda from Linkoping of the Swedish Hockey League. Bystedt was expected to join the Barracuda on Monday.

The Sharks right now have four players on their roster who are 23 years old or younger. Asked if other younger players in the organization might get a look at the NHL level, Sharks coach David Quinn said, “We’re limited with our call-ups. So we’re going to be a little bit challenged from that end of it. But we’ve got young guys here, and if we could, I’m sure there’d be more. But we are limited to what we can do.”

After Monday, the Sharks (17-48-8) have eight games left, as their current homestand continues with games against Los Angeles on Thursday, St. Louis on Saturday, Arizona on Sunday and Calgary on April 9.