SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Jake Peavy says he felt the same during the Giants' 6-5 loss to Texas on Monday as he did in his first start last Thursday. But the product on the field sure looked different.
Taking the hill for the second time this spring, Peavy allowed two runs in three innings but looked much sharper than he did in a six-run drubbing against Milwaukee. That's not to mention the fact that Peavy faced a Rangers lineup loaded with big leaguers and kept them off-balance for the most part.
Both of the runs charged to Peavy came on sacrifice flies. He was hit hard a couple of times -- on fastballs he left up. But he showed flashes of midseason form, striking out Rangers slugger Mitch Moreland twice. Peavy whiffed Moreland with a high fastball in the first inning and set him down with a nasty backdoor cutter in the third, ending his outing.
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"Physically I feel good, and I'm going to get stronger," Peavy said. "I know my arm is going to get stronger. Getting up and down three times was no problem. The body was fine, my stuff was there all the way, throughout the three innings.
"I know the other day was tough results-wise, but today was a better day with execution."
In his first outing, Peavy threw almost exclusively fastballs. He used a four-pitch mix on Monday and got swings and misses with all four of them.
"It's something to build on," Peavy said. "It was nice to throw some good off-speed pitches."
Blanks thanks Giants for support
• Kyle Blanks continued his monster spring on Monday, going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer. After he was removed from the game, Blanks addressed his reasoning for choosing the Giants in free agency.
The 29-year-old slugger said his decision was in large part the result of the club's commitment to his health. In September, Blanks had surgery to shave bones in both of his heels -- hopefully to prevent future damage. He has appeared in just 96 games (Minors and Majors) over the past two seasons because of foot injuries.

"It's nice to see someone have some faith," said Blanks, who is batting .571 with two home runs this spring. "I know what I'm capable of when I'm on the field, but it's nice to have someone be able to back you up and say, 'We can keep you there.'"
Manager Bruce Bochy said the club will continue to play Blanks every other day as a precaution. Blanks has played first base exclusively, but Bochy hinted that he may see some time in left field as early as next week.
Williamson's knee fine after plunking
The Giants had a bit of an injury scare in the fourth inning Monday when outfield prospect Mac Williamson was hit by a pitch on the left knee. He stayed down for a couple of minutes while being evaluated by the medical staff. But Williamson said he felt fine -- albeit sore -- after the game.
He finished 1-for-2 and is now 5-for-12 this spring with a pair of homers.