Madison Bumgarner'd his first major-league win tonight, but more important he threw like Cool Hand Luke. He didn't have good command in the first few innings, walking batters, falling behind, but wriggling out of trouble, most emphatically when he struck out Ryan Braun, career destroyer of lefties (though not so much this year), on three fastballs.
Bumgarner then settled down and finished with eight shutout innings against one of the most prolific offenses in baseball. This is exciting news unless your name is Todd Wellemeyer. And if it is, hello, Welly. You're looking swell, Welly, and I can tell, Welly...
Something to keep in mind: Bumgarner has thrown 104 innings this year. Last year he threw 141, matching his professional high. How much beyond 140 will the Giants let him go? Let's say he has 15 more starts, and averages six innings per. That's nearly 200 innings at the age of 20. Remember all the debate about Tim Lincecum's high pitch counts? Wait 'til Bumgarner hits, oh, 150 innings, he's throwing lights-out, and the Giants have crept back into the pennant race. Fun times in sports-talk-radio land!
Back to Tuesday's game: Far less impressive was the Giants' O, which for the second straight night relied upon the good hospitality of these thoroughly decent Midwesterners. Can't generate offense of your own? Why here, have a booted double-play ball. And a couple walks. And a botched pickoff. The Brewers Tuesday gave 'til it hurt, then they gave some more. Thank you, Milwaukee. Thank you.
Bumgarner then settled down and finished with eight shutout innings against one of the most prolific offenses in baseball. This is exciting news unless your name is Todd Wellemeyer. And if it is, hello, Welly. You're looking swell, Welly, and I can tell, Welly...
Something to keep in mind: Bumgarner has thrown 104 innings this year. Last year he threw 141, matching his professional high. How much beyond 140 will the Giants let him go? Let's say he has 15 more starts, and averages six innings per. That's nearly 200 innings at the age of 20. Remember all the debate about Tim Lincecum's high pitch counts? Wait 'til Bumgarner hits, oh, 150 innings, he's throwing lights-out, and the Giants have crept back into the pennant race. Fun times in sports-talk-radio land!
Back to Tuesday's game: Far less impressive was the Giants' O, which for the second straight night relied upon the good hospitality of these thoroughly decent Midwesterners. Can't generate offense of your own? Why here, have a booted double-play ball. And a couple walks. And a botched pickoff. The Brewers Tuesday gave 'til it hurt, then they gave some more. Thank you, Milwaukee. Thank you.
