Giants beat Twins 5-2 as Tidwell exits with apparent arm issue

San Francisco won with a depleted lineup at Oracle Park on Monday, but starter Blade Tidwell left in the fourth inning with what appeared to be arm discomfort.

The San Francisco Giants defeated the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Monday night at Oracle Park, despite fielding a lineup that included none of the players who started on Opening Day. Rookie outfielder Bo Davidson, called up before the game, singled in his first major-league at-bat and stole second before Brett Harris drove in two runs with a single in the opening frame.

Drew Gilbert led the offense with a two-run single in the second inning and a solo home run in the fifth. On the mound, Tristan Beck, promoted from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, retired all eight batters he faced over 2⅔ scoreless innings after taking over for Tidwell.

Tidwell left in the fourth inning with what appeared to be arm discomfort. He had allowed a leadoff home run to Brooks Lee in the frame after giving up two singles over the first three innings. The right-hander was coming off his first win with San Francisco, a 6⅔-inning start in St. Louis in which he allowed two runs.

The Giants have used 70 players this season, a franchise record, after adding infielder Marcelo Mayer and Davidson ahead of the series. The pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries and trades, with Logan Webb on the injured list, Hayden Birdsong, Trevor McDonald and Carson Whisenhunt recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle dealt away last month.

If Tidwell is unavailable for his next turn, San Francisco could turn to Joe Whitman, who has a 3.74 ERA at Sacramento after starting the season at Double-A Richmond, or use a bullpen game.