Hayden Birdsong threw five sharp innings in his first start of the season and the San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Tuesday night. Birdsong (2-0) was moved from the bullpen to the rotation in place of Jordan Hicks and provided just what manager Bob Melvin hoped he would deliver when he made the move.

Birdsong allowed one unearned run, struck out four and didn’t issue a walk over five innings to even the three-game series with Kansas City.

Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong speaks to reporters after San Francisco's 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday at Oracle Park.Birdsong ‘happy' with win in return to Giants' starting rotation

Giants right-hander Justin Verlander will be placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right pectoral injury, manager Bob Melvin said after Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Royals.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Justin Verlander will be placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right pectoral injury, manager Bob Melvin said after Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Giants ace Logan Webb speaks to reporters after San Francisco's 8-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday at Oracle Park.Webb confident in Giants' pitching depth after Verlander injury originall