Prospect Kickham throws six no-hit innings

Left-hander Mike Kickham, the Giants' No. 17 prospect, threw six no-hit innings on Sunday, but Triple-A Fresno's bullpen was unable to complete the combined no-hitter. The Grizzlies settled for a three-hitter and defeated Salt Lake, 10-2.

Kickham struck out five and walked five. He threw 96 pitches before exiting after six innings.

Right-hander Brett Bochy, son of Giants manager Bruce Bochy, relieved Kickham to start the seventh. Bochy retired the first two batters before giving up a home run to Luis Martinez, ending the no-hit bid. He struck out four batters in two innings before turning the game over to right-hander Mitch Lively for the ninth. Lively gave up two hits, including a home run to Angels No. 2 prospect Taylor Lindsey, and struck out one.

Second baseman Joe Panik, the Giants' No. 14 prospect, led the Grizzlies' offense. He went 3-for-6 with two RBIs and one run.

With the victory, Kickham improved to 2-5 with a 4.35 ERA in 10 starts this season. He has struck out 39 and walked 23 in 51 2/3 innings.

Kickham is no stranger to taking a no-hitter deep into games. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh last year, only to see it broken up with two outs in the inning. He also twice exited a start without allowing a hit when he was pitching for Double-A Richmond in 2012. His first no-hit bid lasted seven innings, and his second, just 16 days later, lasted six innings.