Bumgarner Fans 10 as Giants Hold On to Take Sole Possession Of First Place

Two of the game’s best southpaws took center stage on Monday night in Los Angeles, and only one prevailed. Behind Madison Bumgarner, the Giants held on to take game one of this crucial three game series, 2-1.

Bumgarner, who came into Monday’s game with a 4-2 record against Los Angeles, cruised through eight dominant innings against the quiet Dodgers’ bats. The southpaw fanned ten over eight eight innings. In the process, he threw a season-high 123 pitches, one short of his career-high of 124.

The Dodgers’ 1-5 hitters united to produce an 0-16 line off Bumgarner. He induced four strikeouts to Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, and Andre Ethier combined.

Angel Pagan jumpstarted the Giants’ offense with a leadoff double to leadoff the game. Pablo Sandoval would drive him home with a shallow sacrifice fly two batters later. Pagan, who came into the game 4-16 off Clayton Kershaw, collected two hits and scored the only two Giants’ runs in the game.

A leadoff single off the bat of Clayton Kershaw dribbled into right field to spark a stressful inning for Bumgarner. Shane Victorino followed the pitcher by reaching on a fielders choice, then swiped second base with the bat in Matt Kemp’s hands. On a full count, Bumgarner got Kemp to chase a slider in the dirt to end the threat.

However, a rematch shaped up in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Hanley Ramirez stepped in to face Sergio Romo. And Ramirez’s game-winning two-run homer off Ramirez earlier in the season wasn’t forgotten. However, Ramirez got the best of Romo once again, as he smacked a solo shot that pulled the Dodgers within one.

Javier Lopez came into the game to face Ethier, and he would induce a slow roller to first base to close the game.

Posted in: angel pagan,Dodgers,Hanley Ramirez,Madison Bumgarner,Matt Kemp,pablo sandoval,San Francisco Giants,Sergio Romo