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Strong Bumgarner Dominates Harper
Madison Bumgarner takes no-hit bid into sixth – Giants rout Phillies
San Francisco Giants’ Madison Bumgarner hits a single in front of Philadelphia Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
2019.08.08 – Madison Bumgarner carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and dominated Bryce Harper by ending his majors-best streak of reaching base at 21 games with an 0-for-3 night. San Francisco Giants rout the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 at Oracle Park.
The Giants have won eight of their last nine Bumgarner starts. Thursday night’s win against the Phillies was more than just another successful start. It was the purest Bumgarner experience possible.
Bumgarner had as many hits as the Phillies. He reached base as often as the Phillies. He scored more runs than the Phillies. He allowed zero runs and exactly one hit over seven innings.
He did it to stop a losing streak against a team with which the Giants are directly competing.
2019.08.08 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
2019.08.08 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
The Giants’ Ace was facing Aaron Nola for two of his three successful plate appearances, and Nola is one of the better pitchers in the National League. He’s so good that he’s the all-time leader in WAR among pitchers with fewer complete games, and he was trying to stop a Phillies’ skid of their own. That’s what aces do, after all.
For much of this week, Bumgarner spent extra time throwing on flat ground as he tried to get his feel back after a forgettable outing at Coors Field.
He sure had some of his best stuff this time.
Not that the humble lefty even concerns himself with such things as no-hitters — though he knew he had it going, saying, “I never believe when guys say they don’t know.”
“Honestly, I don’t care about it,” he said. “I just want to win the game. I’m not out there for any kind of personal achievements or goals.”
Pinch-hitter Cesar Hernandez hit a sharp single up the middle with one out in the sixth to break it up. Before that, the only Phillies base-runner came when Rhys Hoskins drew a one-out walk in the fourth.
Mike Yastrzemski hit a solo homer and drove in three runs to get the offense going after San Francisco scored just four total runs the previous three days in being swept by the Nationals.
The Giants delivered four straight hits against Aaron Nola (10-3) to start the third and back Bumgarner (7-7), capped by Yastrzemski’s two-run double before he got caught in a rundown trying to stretch it to a triple. San Francisco left the bases loaded in the fourth.
Big cheers greeted MadBum before the lefty ace’s first home start since the trade deadline and the Giants’ decision not to deal him. Speculation had swirled for months he might be a trade candidate, then San Francisco put together an impressive winning stretch and opted to move a trio of relievers instead.
Bumgarner kept foiling the Phillies while pitching seven days past his 30th birthday.
“We have to make good pitchers work hard, and fight for every inch, and we weren’t able to run his pitch count up at all,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said.
Bumgarner earned only his second victory in seven starts. Against the Rockies on Saturday, he was tagged for five earned runs on eight hits in five innings and was unable to throw the ball where he wanted it.
The 2014 World Series MVP allowed just the one hit and a walk to the Phillies and struck out three in seven innings before giving way to Trevor Gott in the eighth. Will Smith finished the one-hit shutout.
At the plate, Bumgarner lined a single to left in a nine-pitch at-bat in the third.
“He did it all tonight,” said manager Bruce Bochy, who took Bumgarner out after 85 pitches given all the extra work between outings. “What a great at-bat to get that base hit to get the rally going.”
Brandon Belt hit an RBI single for the Giants during the decisive third inning and Kevin Pillar used aggressive base-running to add on in the sixth. He reached on a force, stole second for his 10th steal this year, went to third on a throwing error by Sean Rodriguez then scored on Nick Pivetta’s wild pitch.
Three-time Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford dove to his left for a snazzy catch on Jean Segura’s liner in the seventh.
Harper, pursued hard by the Giants during the off-season, was booed when he stepped in to bat in the first and every time after that, too.
Nola lost for the first time since June 21 against Miami, a span of five decisions and nine starts. It was only his second road defeat in 10 starts.
Philadelphia was swept in a three-game series at San Francisco last season and has lost 13 of 16 in the Giants’ waterfront ballpark.
The Giants needed runs. They needed to prevent runs. They needed to stop a losing streak. MadBum helped with all three. It was the essence of Bumgarner’s two-way magic.
BRUCE RETURNS
Jay Bruce came off the injured list for his first game since July 16 because of a right oblique strain. The left fielder went 0 for 3 batting fifth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: C J.T. Realmuto had the night off before a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth. “We’re traveling from Phoenix, where it’s pretty easy to get dehydrated, and we got in late last night. Any time you have that kind of travel, it’s always valuable to respect your starting catcher, a guy who you really lean on,” Kapler said. “J.T.’s caught a lot of games for us. It’s important to get him off his feet once in a while, so we’re doing that and pairing (Andrew) Knapp with Nola. They’ve had some success together.” … To make way for Bruce’s return, the Phillies optioned OF Adam Haseley to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Giants: OF Steven Duggar went on the 10-day injured list with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder that isn’t expected to require surgery. Bochy isn’t ready to call it season-ending. Duggar was hurt making a diving catch to rob Juan Soto ending the fourth inning in Wednesday’s loss to the Nationals. “He’s going to be down for a little while,” Bochy said. “We’ll wait to see how this thing comes around the next couple weeks.” … RHP Shaun Anderson also was placed on the IL because of a blister on his right middle finger. … OF Alex Dickerson (right oblique strain) was set to hit in the cage for the first time to test his injury.
UP NEXT
LHP Drew Smyly (2-6, 7.01 ERA) pitched seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts to beat San Francisco on July 30.
RHP Tyler Beede (3-6, 5.38), who has lost his last three starts, opposes Smyly again.
Related: See below 2019.08.09 (Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies)
Read more at: San Francisco Giants Media Services / More AP MLB: www.apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the San Francisco Giants, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
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Harper homers twice, Phillies beat Giants
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper (3) flies out to center field against the San Francisco Giants in the at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, August 9, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
2019.08.09 – Bryce Harper put his fingers to his lips and shushed the heckling crowd at Oracle Park after hitting his first home run of the night.
Following his second homer, a towering three-run drive into McCovey Cove, Harper didn’t care what he heard.
Harper went deep twice and drove in four runs, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 9-6 on Friday.
Harper was courted by San Francisco in the offseason before signing a $330 million, 13-year deal with Philadelphia.
“There’s this thing that people say that people shouldn’t say and shouldn’t come out of their mouths but that’s part of sports I guess,” Harper said. “San Fran’s got a great fan base. They love their team, they love their city, so it’s a lot of fun going back and forth.”
2019.08.09 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
2019.08.09 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
Harper hit a solo shot off Tyler Beede in the fifth. He connected again in the seventh against Tony Watson (2-1), belting his 22nd homer after Adam Haseley singled and pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez walked.
“It was a terrible pitch,” Watson said. “And he crushed it.”
It was Harper’s first multi-homer game in his first season with Philadelphia and No. 18 for his career.
“It was huge for us, particularly the home run off Watson,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “When the opposition brings in their left-hander to get your big left-handed hitter out and Bryce does damage like that, it’s a huge boost to the dugout, a huge momentum shifter.”
Corey Dickerson hit a bases-loaded triple and made a sliding catch in left field as the Phillies won for the fourth time in 17 games at Oracle. Jean Segura had a sacrifice fly.
Harper’s performance helped make up for the loss of fellow outfielder Jay Bruce, who was placed on the injured list with a left elbow injury. Bruce had just come off the IL on Thursday night but hurt himself throwing the ball into the infield in the third inning.
Kevin Pillar, Stephen Vogt and Joey Rickard homered for San Francisco. Donovan Solano added three hits.
The Giants have lost seven of nine.
“Give (Philadelphia) credit for coming back,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
One day after being held to one hit, the Phillies got a big boost from the top of their lineup. Harper, Rhys Hoskins and Dickerson combined for six hits, six runs and seven RBIs.
Harper’s second home run capped a four-run seventh. It was a nice response after San Francisco scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
“It was nice to see Harper come up several times in big spots,” Kapler said. “It was a good night for our offense. It was really nice to see them do what they’re capable of doing.”
José Alvarez (3-2) retired one batter to earn the win. Hector Neris pitched the ninth for his 20th save.
Philadelphia starter Drew Smyly gave up six runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Beede allowed five runs and four hits in five innings. The right-hander has an 8.38 ERA over his last four starts.
LEADING OFF
Harper is 7 for 19 (.368) with three home runs and seven RBIs in five games out of the leadoff spot.
BUM’S AT-BAT
One night after combining with two relievers on a one-hitter, Madison Bumgarner was greeted with a rousing ovation when he drew a seven-pitch walk from Smyly as a pinch hitter in the fifth. Bumgarner advanced to second on Solano’s single before being removed for pinch-runner Connor Menez.
PABLO IN THE PINCH
Pablo Sandoval singled in the eighth for his 18th hit as a pinch hitter this season. That ties Ken Oberkfell for the most by a Giants player since 1974.
WAIT, COME BACK
Haseley replaced Bruce in the lineup and went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts. Haseley was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday to make room for Bruce but had not left San Francisco when he was called back.
OTHER MOVES
San Francisco claimed pitcher Kyle Barraclough off waivers from Washington and optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Sacramento. Barraclough was 1-2 with a 6.66 ERA in 33 games with the Nationals. The Giants also transferred outfielder Steven Duggar to the 60-day IL and optioned left-hander Sam Selman to Sacramento. Tyler Austin cleared waivers and opted to become a free agent rather than report to Sacramento.
TRAINERS ROOM
Phillies: Bruce will be restricted from throwing for two weeks, and then be re-evaluated.
Giants: Johnny Cueto threw two scoreless innings and had two strikeouts in his second rehab start in the Arizona League. Cueto is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery last year.
UP NEXT
San Francisco right-hander Jeff Samardzija (8-9, 3.70 ERA) goes for his second win in two weeks against Philadelphia. Samardzija pitched six scoreless innings to beat the Phils on July 31. Right-hander Vince Velasquez (4-6, 4.23 ERA), who was the losing pitcher in that game, starts for Philadelphia.
Related: See below 2019.08.10 (Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies)
Read more at: San Francisco Giants Media Services / More AP MLB: www.apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the San Francisco Giants, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
EMI Sports Central – EMI Sports Bay Area: Join the conversation on sports news for SF Bay Area teams: Follow @EMIsports on Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook and sign up for our FREE email newsletters.
Stellar Samardzija Blanks Harper – Giants beat Phillies
San Francisco Giants’ Jeff Samardzija pitching during a Philadelphia Phillies game in the second inning of baseball in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
2019.08.10 – Jeff Samardzija pitched eight stellar innings blanking Harper 0-4 of two-hit ball, Evan Longoria and Kevin Pillar each homered, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 at Oracle Park.
Samardzija (9-9) gave up one run, struck out five and walked none. He retired 20 straight after giving up a solo homer to Corey Dickerson with two outs in the top of the first inning. Samardzija’s streak ended with César Hernández’s one-out single in the eighth.
2019.08.10 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
2019.08.10 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
The Shark spent extra time watching video, and it paid off.
Samardzija was facing the Phillies for the second time in less than two weeks. He pitched six shutout innings of three-hit ball in a 5-1 win at Citizens Bank Park on July 31.
“I went back and watched the film and just saw a couple of spots where we could improve on, and ultimately do a little bit different there so we’re not doing exactly the same stuff,” Samardzija said.
“A very dangerous lineup, so really you can’t really let off the gas and I didn’t do that today.”
The 34-year-old right-hander is 5-2 with a 1.95 ERA in eight starts since July 1. He’s 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 19 strikeouts over his last four starts.
“They just saw him and he threw another beauty,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
“He’s in a really good place as far as commanding the ball, all four pitches . That was just a great job of executing your pitches for eight innings.”
Vince Velasquez (4-7) gave up three runs in five innings of three-hit ball. He struck out three and walked one.
Pillar homered leading off the fifth off Velasquez to give San Francisco a 3-1 lead. Pillar golfed an 0-2 slider below his knees for his 15th homer and career-high 60th RBI.
The Giants took a 2-1 lead on Longoria’s two run homer to left off Velasquez in the second. His 14th homer came on a hanging slider.
Longoria’s homer was his first since July 12. The three-time All-Star missed 19 games with left foot plantar fasciitis.
“It really did a lot for the club because first inning, we looked a little flat there, but we woke up because of Longo,” Bochy said.
Dickerson’s seventh home run was Samardzija’s only mistake on the day — a 90-mph fastball he left over the middle of the plate. It was his third homer since coming over from the Pirates in a July 31 trade.
“He has a fastball-cutter combination,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said of Samardzija. “It’s difficult to pick up which is which, and he does a really good job of changing eye levels.”
Will Smith worked around a hit and walk in the ninth to notch his 28th save in 30 tries. The Giants closer struck out Dickerson swinging with the tying runs on base.
Phladelphia lost for the fourth time in five games.
HANDLING HARPER
Leadoff man Bryce Harper is a career .136 hitter (3 for 22) against Samardzija after the 2015 NL MVP was hitless in three at-bats against the pitcher. Harper finished the day 0-for-4.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: RHP Johnny Cueto (Tommy John surgery) pitched two innings for the Giants’ Arizona Rookie League affiliate on Friday. The two-time All-Star threw about 20 pitches and hit 92 mph before throwing an additional 15 pitches in the bullpen, manager Bruce Bochy said. He’s expected to throw 40 pitches in a rehab game with Single-A San Jose on Wednesday or Thursday, Bochy said. … 2B Scooter Gennett stayed in the game after getting hit in the right forearm by a 91.8-mph two-seam fastball from Velasquez. … OF Alex Dickerson (right oblique strain) will likely start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Bochy said.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Jake Arrieta (8-8, 4.41 ERA) will make his sixth start since revealing he has a bone spur on his pitching elbow that will likely require surgery. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner is 0-2 with a 4.34 ERA over his last six starts.
Giants: LHP Connor Menez (0-1, 5.73) will make his third career start.
Related: See below 2019.08.11 (Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies)
Read more at: San Francisco Giants Media Services / More AP MLB: www.apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the San Francisco Giants, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
EMI Sports Central – EMI Sports Bay Area: Join the conversation on sports news for SF Bay Area teams: Follow @EMIsports on Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook and sign up for our FREE email newsletters.
Will Smith Stuns Phillies
Giants rallied to beat Philadelphia
San Francisco Giants’ Will Smith hit a two-run single in the eight inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
2019.08.11 – Closer Will Smith hit a two-run single in his first career at-bat and the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6 at Oracle Park.
Smith has picked up the essence of legendary Madison Bumgarner’s two-way magic.
With the game on the line, there’s no one the Giants would rather have on the mound than closer Will Smith. But at the plate? That’s another story… but, this time around the Giants we’ll take Smith, also.
It turns out the Giants’ closer is pretty good with a bat, too.
“Smitty’s been wanting to hit,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “I know he’s been talking about it. He was excited about getting a chance to hit up there. That’s huge, you get those insurance runs. That game was entertaining.”
2019.08.11 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
2019.08.11 (San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See video
Kevin Pillar hit a tie-breaking triple that scored Evan Longoria with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Smith followed with a two-run single.
Scooter Gennett homered into McCovey Cove and Mike Yastrzemski also went deep to help the Giants take three of four from the Phillies. Longoria had three hits and Pillar had two.
Longoria singled leading off the eighth against José Alvarez (3-3) and went to second on a wild pitch with two outs. Pillar, who had an RBI single in the third, followed with a drive into the gap in right-center off Nick Pivetta.
After Brandon Crawford was intentionally walked and stole second, Smith blooped a 3-1 pitch into right field to score Pillar and Crawford as the crowd at Oracle Park roared.
“I actually took some swings today in the cage before catch, just messing around,” Smith said. “I hit three balls over the tee just playing around. I guess it paid off. I felt like a Little Leaguer out there when I was running the bases.”
Hitting coach Alonzo Powell wasn’t totally surprised.
“He knew what he was doing the whole time,” Powell said.
Smith admittedly was a little overwhelmed by the moment and nearly got thrown out by Harper while running slowly to first base. Harper’s throw was just off line, allowing Smith to reach safely.
“If that throws on line I’m definitely out for sure,” Smith said. “But I would have made Bochy challenge it probably.”
Smith (4-0) retired five batters and earned the win. The right-hander also made a spectacular defensive play when Roman Quinn dropped a bunt to lead off the ninth. Smith pounced on the bunt and threw out Quinn on a close play at first.
César Hernández had three hits and two RBIs for Philadelphia. Bryce Harper drove in a pair of runs.
“The Giants were able to execute and we weren’t,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. “This ended up being a very rough road trip.”
Both managers had to go deep into their bullpens after each starter was knocked out early. Philadelphia’s Jake Arrieta lasted three innings, while San Francisco’s Conner Menez left after retiring five batters.
The Phillies led 5-2, but left the bases loaded twice and stranded six runners in scoring position.
ARIETTA’S QUICK EXIT
Arrieta’s night ended after three innings and 66 pitches, another setback for the 33-year-old former Cy Young Award winner who has been pitching with a bone spur in his right elbow. Arrieta allowed seven hits and five earned runs, the sixth time this season that he has allowed five or more earned runs.
WALKING A THIN LINE
Giants pitchers combined for 11 walks. It’s the first time San Francisco has won a nine-inning game despite walking 11 or more since Sept. 20, 2006. It’s also the 11th time that the Giants have won when issuing 11 walks or more in the San Francisco era.
VELASQUEZ IN A PINCH
Vince Velasquez, who started for Philadelphia and took the loss Saturday, singled as a pinch-hitter in the fifth. It’s Velasquez’s second pinch-hit single this season and the third of his career.
GIANTS TO RETIRE 22
The Giants announced during a pregame ceremony honoring the 1989 NL Championship team that Will Clark’s No. 22 will be retired next year. Clark, now a special assistant with the team, was joined on the field for the announcement by several other former Giants from the team that lost to the Oakland A’s in the ’89 World Series. “To be forever linked with the greatest who have ever played this sport here in San Francisco, it’s absolutely amazing,” Clark told the crowd.
TRAINERS ROOM
Giants: Pablo Sandoval has inflammation in his right elbow, a result of “loose bodies” according to manager Bruce Bochy. That’s why Sandoval was limited to pinch-hitting against the Phillies. … RHP Johnny Cueto will throw about 45 pitches or three innings Thursday in a rehab start with Class A San Jose. Cueto is recovering from Tommy John surgery last year. … Alex Dickerson (right oblique strain) hit in a cage before the game and will do baseball activities on the field during Monday’s off day. If all goes well, Dickerson will DH for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Phillies: After a day off, LHP Jason Vargas (6-5, 3.93 ERA) faces the Chicago Cubs for the second time this season Tuesday in Philadelphia. Vargas is 3-0 in seven career starts against the Cubs.
Giants: LHP Madison Bumgarner (7-7, 3.74) pitches the opener of a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Bumgarner is unbeaten in his last nine starts.
Read more at: San Francisco Giants Media Services / More AP MLB: www.apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the San Francisco Giants, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
49ERS FIT – Free 4-Day Pass
EMI Sports Central – EMI Sports Bay Area: Join the conversation on sports news for SF Bay Area teams: Follow @EMIsports on Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook and sign up for our FREE email newsletters.