Cardinals vs. Giants, 2012 NLCS Game 1: Giants salvage performance in Game 1 loss

The San Fransisco Giants got down early but made a push to make a 6-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals look competitive in Game 1 of the NLCS.

Giants starter Madison Bumgarner struggled mightily, allowing six runs, including two homers to David Freese and Carlos Beltran, in suffering the loss. San Fransisco scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and despite failing to produce much offense after that, didn't just give up.

McCovey Chronicles, for one, applauds the Giants' effort.

So kudos to the Giants for not going full Arroyo. It was still an awful game, but it wasn't as dispiriting as it could have been. Big cheers for small victories. You know, because they scored four runs and all.

While McCovey Chronicles isn't advocating that Bumgarner be shut down for the rest of the playoffs, it would be okay with it for the good of the pitcher's health. Bumgarner appears fatigued and his command and pitching mechanics seem to be suffering because of it. It might be wise to limit him going forward with the amount of innings he has already pitched as a 22-year-old.

San Fransisco will try to even the series with the Cardinals on Monday with pitchers Chris Carpenter and Ryan Vogelsong slated to start.