Hicks was credited with his first career save in Saturday's win over the Reds, allowing a hit but recording three strikeouts.
In the late stages of May, Hicks began working with pitching coach Mike Maddux on refining his slider in an attempt to boost his strikeout rate. The initiative has been a rousing success, with Hicks now having recorded 15 of his 24 punchouts on the season since May 23, a span of nine appearances. Eight of those whiffs have come over his first four June outings, a span during which the phenom has notched two holds and Saturday's save. He's not expected to step into the closer role despite this wrapup, though. Bud Norris had worked on each of the previous two days, including a Friday blown save marred and interrupted by a rain delay.