Apparently, when the Cincinnati Reds' pitchers strike out 11 opponents, everyone in Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark gets a free pizza. I don't know who is sponsoring this, it may be the Kroger's grocery store chain - they make the red Ks that indicate number of strikeouts. I guess that is a good thing in this case, it gives the fans something to feel good about when their team lost the game and series.
Madison Bumgarner, National League Pitcher of the Month for May, was on the mound, and he doesn't appear to have worn himself out celebrating. Madison gave up a solo shot to Todd Frazier in the 1st inning, but after that, only 2 other hits in 8 innings and 106 pitches. One of the other hits was also to Todd Frazier. Helpfully, Madison did not walk any Red, nor did the defense commit any errors. Madison had 1-2-3 innings in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. George Kontos added a 1-2-3 9th.
San Francisco scored 6 runs to Cincinnati's 1. The Giants used some long balls. Michael Morse homered with Pablo Sandoval aboard in the 2nd to erase Cincinnati's lead, and Brandon Crawford homered in the 4th with Tyler Colvin and Pablo Sandoval aboard. Later, Buster Posey knocked Angel Pagan in to score the 6th run. The Giants had 11 hits on the day, 3 by Sandoval, 2 by Pagan and the rest liberally spread around to everyone except Madison.
About those strikeouts - the total for Cincinnati pitchers was 14. Yow! That's over half your total outs. Didn't seem to matter today, though as the Giants pitching and defense were a stellar. Much has been made about the Giants' difficulties in Cincinnati, but that's the sort of thing that makes a great story - but is not a real thing. And by real thing, I mean cause and effect. This team is good enough to break those kind of jinxes and small sample size anomalies. We lost two games of this seven game road trip against some pretty tough teams. I'm guessing that the plane ride home will be a good one.
5 comments:
Bumgarner has been outstanding. I think he should start the All Star Game.
I don't think I've ever used "anomalies" in a post. Good show, mate.
I heard Bumgarner has 20 straight road starts of giving up 3 runs or less. Remember just a few years ago when he was good at home and sucked on the road. I guess that was a small sample size. Giants also lead the league in road dingers. This year, unlike the giants, they have issued the fewest walks per inning, of any team, and that is with Tim Lincecum as an automatic handicap with that stat.
The Bumbino is kicking some ass!
What is happening with the roster when they activate Cain? Who goes down?
Giants #1 pick (Tyler Beede, Vanderbilt) is pitching against Stanford in the Super Regionals this weekend. The #2 pick (Aramis Garcia, Florida International) is a catcher. College boys. Pitching and catching--gotta like that.
Huff DFA'd.
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