Staying in San Fran

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO -- Right-handed relief pitcher Sergio Romo and the San Francisco Giants settled on a US$1.575-million one-year contract Friday to avoid an arbitration hearing.

The 28-year-old earned himself a nice raise after making $450,000 last year. He had asked for $1.75 million and the club had offered $1.3 million.

Romo went 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in 65 outings and 48 innings last season for the 2010 World Series champions, who missed the playoffs a year later. He had 70 strikeouts to just five walks as one of the most dependable members of manager Bruce Bochy's bullpen.