PHOENIX -- Some managers will say they don't put too much stock in the first week or two of Spring Training, that they'll begin to judge performance after players get their feet under them.
Bruce Bochy is not one of those managers.
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"This counts," he said. "The evaluation process goes from Day 1. Guys are competing."
It's good, then, for Ty Blach that he's started strong. In contention for a spot in the back of the Giants' rotation, the left-hander followed up a strong spring debut last week with three impressive innings Wednesday in a 10-10 tie with the Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park.
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Blach allowed one unearned run. He gave up just two hits, one an infield single.
"I felt like I was executing a lot of pitches and the ball was coming out good. I'm definitely pleased with the results," said Blach, who has not allowed an earned run in five Cactus League innings. "Getting to see some of their best guys, having to make pitches with guys on base, in scoring position, that was awesome to go against their best. You're always competing out there."
Blach was 8-12 with a 4.78 ERA last year for the Giants. He only struck out 73 in 163 2/3 innings, but struck out five Brewers on Wednesday.
"Any way you can get outs in this game is awesome," Blach said. "I was able to get some quick strikeouts, which is always nice, to keep the pitch count down."
Blach also was able to work around an error to keep the damage to a minimum in his third inning.
"I made a couple pitches to get a couple ground balls right after that, so, yeah, that was definitely a confidence booster," Blach said.
Blach was followed by Andrew Suarez, who's also fighting for a rotation spot.
"Blach is really hitting his spots well," Bochy said. "And Suarez both. They're doing a nice job, aren't they?"
Suarez allowed a pair of runs on three hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. The lefty struck out a pair and gave up a home run.
"The kid that's really doing a nice job is Suarez," Bochy said. "He's in the mix, too, and I love the way he's handling it.
"It's good to see them this sharp this early. But obviously as you get deeper into camp and hitters are getting their timing and catching up, that's going to play a big part, too. [But] I'm not worried about that with [Blach]. He's already shown he can pitch in the big leagues. Blach will be fine."