Saturday, April 5, 2014

Madbum's First Win of 2014, and It Couldn't Have Come Against a Better Team

Madison Bumgarner looked pretty good today, and when Madison Bumgarner looks good, and the Giants score a couple of runs, they stand a very good chance of winning a game.  Last year, Madison had 6 games where he allowed no more than 1 run, and did not not get a win.  Today, he allowed 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings, and the Giants offense scored plenty.  Madison looked much sharper than he did in Arizona.  He threw the ball with better control, being able to keep it down and move it around.  He struck out 10, 5 of those guys with runners in scoring position.  I think that is his 14th game of 10 K's.  Madison only walked one.

In the 7th, Madison was close to out of gas.  He gave up a single to Van Slyke the younger, struck out Uribe, then induced AJ Ellis to hit a weak grounder that dribbled through a hole for a hit.  A single from Dee Gordon loaded the bases, but then Santiago Casilla got 2 outs to end the inning without a score.  Madison threw 114 pitches even though he only issued 1 walk.  Yusiermo Petit looked much improved to pitch a scoreless 9th.

The story, again, was offense.  A big fly from the Panda with 2 men on base in the 5th changed a tense 2 - 1 game into a 5 - 1 game, and then Buster Posey hit one immediately thereafter to make it 6 - 1.  Morse got into the HR game, a solo shot in the 4th.  Brandon Crawford picked up the first rbi in the 2nd, and Angel Pagan picked up the 7th in the 6th.  Hunter Pence had two doubles.

Well, I'm tickled pink.  The Giants have won the first two series, and done it in impressive fashion.  I expect to see Matt Cain pitch well and that leaves Tim Hudson, coming off of an excellent start, for the home opener.  Madison Bumgarner is now 9 - 3 against LA.

1 comment:

M.C. O'Connor said...

It was a Pence assist to Buster at home that saved Casilla in the 7th. Mattingly appealed, but the call on the field was upheld. The replay, to me, made AJ Ellis look safe, but it was close. Stupid move to make the last out of the inning at home.

Otherwise, the Giants dominated. Maddy got the big outs early and gave the lineup a chance to work Maholm and work they did. Nice to see FNGs Hicks (that DP in the 8th was sweet) and Morse (a big fly) contribute. Sure enough when Blanco subbed in left he made a great catch, too.

Good fun today. Maybe Matty can do as well and lead the way to a sweep!