Madison Bumgarner pitched seven solid innings and hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to help his own cause as the Giants won today for the first time in five games. Hector Sanchez hit two doubles, tallied an RBI and scored a run and Melky Cabrera hit a triple and also scored for the Giants (13-14).
Sanchez hit two monster doubles that likely would have been home runs in most other parks. After his first double of the day, Bumgarner, who allowed a single run in the first inning, doubled him in on a line shot to left field in the fifth to open the scoring for San Francisco. The following inning, the Giant hitters finally seemed to figure out Randy Wolf, who rapidly began struggling with his control as his pitch count rose. Cabrera opened the frame with a triple to left-center and Buster Posey hit a single up the middle to drive him in and provide the Giants with a lead they would not relinquish. Brett Pill and Conor Gillaspie would also record RBIs in the sixth inning to put the Giants up 4-1.
In the eighth inning, reliever Guillermo Mota gave up a solo home run to reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun, but he and Javier Lopez shut the door to end the inning. Hector Sanchez hit his second double for an RBI in the bottom of the eighth, and then Santiago Casilla handled the Brewers in the ninth to record his fifth save.
Bumgarner was fairly dominant save the second inning, striking out five and only walking one. He consistently fooled the Brewer hitters by changing speeds and sight lines, and would have had even greater success if not for a few questionable check-swing calls. His command was excellent and his slider was biting hard. He looked every bit what Giants fans expect him to be, which is a perennial Cy Young contender.
The Giants will try to take the series tomorrow with Matt Cain on the hill, facing Shaun Marcum. Game time is once again 1:05 Pacific.