How do you like pitching duels? Monday's showdown in game one between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks was just that, a pitching duel that saw Giants starter Madison Bumgarner strikeout seven while relinquishing five hits over 7 1/3 shutout innings while Arizona's Ian Kennedy pitched eight shutout innings, striking out eight and allowing only two hits.
Are you ready for another one? The Giants send the hopefully-rebounding Tim Lincecum to the mound, up against Arizona's promising rookie Barry Enright. Lincecum has had a rather down year, but in his last outing he returned to form, with nine strikeouts over eight innings while relinquishing a single run. Lincecum had lost five straight starts with an ERA of 7.62 over those five.
One of those five came against the Diamondbacks just last month, on the 27th, where they took him for four runs and he gave up four walks in six innings. It most definitely was not a pretty outing.
Barry Enright is the Diamondbacks' answer to Lincecum. He's been sensational since being inserted into the Arizona lineup, posting a record of 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA over 12 starts. Enright was up against Lincecum on the 27th and picked up the win. The Giants are hoping it will be different this time around.
Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey both had hits late in the game on Monday, and put themselves into scoring position. Nate Schierholtz hit a triple into the gap in right center to end the scoring drought.