Madison Bumgarner starting, giving the Giants 8 strong innings, Mark Melancon closing out the game. At least, that was the thought in early 2017 when the Giants picked up Melancon. Hasn't worked out that way much though. Actually, it hasn't happened at all.
Until tonight. Madison Bumgarner in his 4th start of the season looked like he was no longer in spring training. He threw 8 innings, 100 pitches, walked 2 (one of whom was intentional), gave up 3 hits (including 2 doubles to Manuel Margot) and no runs. He faced 29 batters, 21 of whom were thrown 1st pitch strikes. Mark Melancon was brought in to finish the 9th. He threw 14 pitches, gave up a lead-off single, then got 2 ground outs and a strike out.
The Giants scored 1 run off of San Diego's starter, Tyson Ross. It was a sacrifice fly by (who else?) Madison Bumgarner. Once Ross left the game to start the 8th, Alen Hanson tripled and scored on Buster Posey's single then Posey scored on a Sandoval hit and botched play by San Diego. The final score was 3 - 0. The bullpen was given a night off except for Melancon. It has been used a lot, 48 1/3 innings in the last 14 games since their last off day. Like they say in the bridge column, "Well done!"
2 comments:
Indeed! Nice to get one of those textbook wins. Been few and far between this season.
would be nice if the giants could blow right through the 500 mark and start to approach 600, but 500 seems to be their Plateau, as does an ERA of 4, for all their starters except Bumgarner and Cueto.
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