The Bum is Back, But Snakebit

Madison Bumgarner made his first start of the 2018 season this evening in San Francisco.  Unfortunately, the Giants were punk against the dbacks' Patrick Corbin, so Madison's very good debut in which he gave up 2 runs resulted in a loss.

Madbum gave us 6 innings, 82 pitches and 8 hits, mostly in the early innings.  He gave up 2 runs, both earned, and struck out 3.  He looked a bit out of touch early, but then looked very sharp as he got a few innings under his belt.  To no avail.  The Giants had a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the 5th, with Crawford having already plated Williamson for the Giants first run, but 3 strikeouts by Corbin (who was given an immense strike zone to throw his slider in) ended that threat.  Madbum also got a big zone.  Melancon pitched a scoreless frame, as did Dyson, but Strickland allowed a run in the 9th.  The Giants got 1 back, on a Buster Posey single to score Alen Hanson, for a final score of 3 - 2.   The Giants had plenty of chances, including another bases loaded situation in the 7th as a result of 3 walks.  They couldn't capitalize on that one, either.   The dbacks out-hit the Giants, both teams could have, should have scored more runs, but Madbum's debut results in an L.  So the Giants slide 1 game under .500, the smogsuckers leapfrog over the Giants into 3rd with a win.  Colorado also picked up a W.

Yet, it's good to have the big man back.  The Giants' young pitchers (without Smardjy and Cueto) have looked great lately, but you need a stud like Madbum.  He looked pretty good, too, with that smooth delivery after the first couple of innings, considering that he had 2 rehab starts and that has been it for him since March.  As long as his finger doesn't bother him, he can only help the Giants.  Tomorrow's game is apparently on Facebook.  I don't believe I'll watch because watching a baseball game on Facebook sounds pretty stupid.  I don't know if that means it is on radio or not.