SAN FRANCISCO — Jesse Hahn throws a pitch that isn’t seen around the majors too much anymore.
The San Diego rookie right-hander used the over-the-top, 12-to-6 curveball effectively in his eight-strikeout performance Tuesday during the Padres’ 7-2 victory over the Giants.
“An old-school curveball,” manager Bud Black said. “Top to bottom. A curveball that you don’t see many major-leaguers throw.”
Hahn said he learned the pitch as a kid from his father, Fred.
“He showed me the grip, and I stayed with it,” Hahn said. “It’s exactly the same. I just throw it for more strikes now.”
Hahn’s first four innings were perfect, and he lasted six innings and gave up two runs on four hits and one walk. He is 3-1 with a 2.38 ERA in his first four big league starts, and he combined with Monday’s starter, Odrisamer Despaigne, to hit the Giants with a lethal 1-2 punch.
Neither beat the Giants with a dominant fastball, but both used all their pitches to keep hitters off balance. While other pitchers around the majors rely on sliders and changeups, Hahn found his niche with a pitch that is not exactly fashionable.
“That’s a good thing,” Black said.