Photo by: AP Photo/Alex Gallardo
Los Angeles, CA -- Countless mistakes held in the first frame led to a Giants lead that was unattainable yesterday. Today the bats stayed "hot" for San Francisco as they pulled away in the fifth for the 7-2 victory over the Dodgers.
"Throughout the order, we have some power," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's hard enough to score runs, but if you can do it with one swing of the bat, it makes your job easier."
San Francisco was up 6-1 top of the fifth frame when both Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey went yard. Sandoval's three-run homer to left field ended Paul Maholm's time on the mound. The bullpen came in and surrendered a solo shot to Posey in the sixth for their final run.
The same bullpen that pitched a no-hitter through seven innings could not contain the Giants offense today. Madison Bumgarner was simply perfect on the mound. He struck out 10 through six innings and led off the fifth with a bloop single.
"He has command of three fastballs, four-seamer, two-seamer and cutter," said Adrian Gonzalez. "He [Bumgarner] can throw them to both sides, with a slower curveball and changeup. He knows how to pitch."
"I felt good, the bullpen came in and did a great job," Bumgarner said. "The offense was unbelievable, they were really swinging the bats well. It's nice to have that support out there, it makes it easier to go after guys."
LA's first hit came in the bottom of the second when Juan Uribe tied the game with a RBI double. Maholm loaded the bases with one out in the top of the frame. San Francisco took advantage and got on the board first with a RBI single from Brandon Crawford.
The Dodgers had a few opportunities but failed against a dominant defense. Yasiel Puig led off the third with a single but was caught trying to steal second when Gonzalez was at the plate. Bottom of the seventh Bumgarner loaded the bases before the Giants bullpen took over.
LA tried to rally a comeback with three on and Puig at the plate. The crowd rose to their feet with anticipation but he flew out to right field. Pinch-hitter Andre Either singled to left fielder Hunter Pence who threw to home plate for the out. That was the last run scored for the Dodgers.
"We have to execute and come through in the clutch, the same way they beat us" said Gonzalez. "They added more power with [Michael] Morse offensively."
Michael Morse hit his first home run of the season in the fourth and extended San Francisco's lead 2-1. By the fifth the Giants offense had opened up their lead and never looked back. LA just could not match up on offense or defense.
San Francisco won its fourth consecutive game and are off to their best start on the road since winning their first eight road games at the start of the 2003 campaign. The Giants matched a season high with three home runs and has hit nine homers in six games this season.