Brandon Belt had been swinging a big stick down in triple-A Fresno, and was telling everyone he was ready upon his return with the San Francisco Giants. Belt made good in his return to the big leagues, plating three runs including a homer, backing up Madison Bumgarner's great outing as the Giants triumphed 5-3 at AT&T Park.
Bumgarner (W 5-9) was stellar in his eight innings pitched Tuesday night, aside from a shaky third inning where he allowed RBI hits from Tony Gwynn and Rafael Furcal. He didn't allow another baserunner the rest his night, finishing with four hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts while throwing 105 pitches. Bumgarner controlled the strike zone very well, keeping the Dodgers off balance and keeping them off the base paths; definitely one of his more impressive starts of the season thus far.
As for the offense it was all about Brandon Belt tonight, launching his second big league homer and first at AT&T in the second, followed a Bumgarner's RBI ground out, his first RBI of the season. Pablo Sandoval broke up the 3-3 tie in the fifth with an RBI single up the middle, then Brandon Belt struck again in the seventh, smoking a bullet down the left field line plating Andres Torres and pinch runner Emmanuel Burriss.
Brian Wilson came in for the save in the ninth, allowing a two out single to Matt Kemp on a ten pitch at bat but nothing more, earning his 29th of the year.
With the win the Giants move to 57-41 on the year. Full box score can be found here.
The Giants will go for the sweep tomorrow as Tim Lincecum (8-7 2.99 ERA) takes the mound against Clayton Kershaw (10-4 2.88 ERA) in a battle of the aces. First pitch is set for 12:45 pm PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.