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Hicks a strong part of Giants' second-base mix

LOS ANGELES -- Brandon Hicks received his second straight start at second base Saturday, demonstrating that he has become a legitimate option when Giants manager Bruce Bochy makes the lineup.

"I like the way he's playing second base and swinging the bat," Bochy said.

Hicks, who made the season-opening squad as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, was hitting .444 (4-for-9) with two doubles and a home run through Saturday.

Expect Joaquin Arias and Ehire Adrianza to get their share of playing time, though. Bochy said he will continue to settle on the player who gives the Giants the best matchup that day when he's selecting a second baseman. It could be a platoon-based decision or simply sticking with a hot hand.

"I'll try to mix it up among all three of them," Bochy said.

Bochy added that Brandon Crawford's presence at shortstop Saturday, even with Dodgers left-hander Paul Maholm opposing the Giants, shouldn't come as a surprise. The left-handed-batting Crawford started last Tuesday against Arizona lefty Wade Miley and isn't automatically subject to being platooned. But Bochy did say that he would "give [Crawford] a break" against certain left-handers, which would afford additional playing time for Adrianza, Arias or Hicks.

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Haft-Baked Ideas, and follow him on Twitter at @sfgiantsbeat.
Read More: San Francisco Giants, Brandon Hicks, Joaquin Arias, Ehire Adrianza