Photo by Allan Hamilton Icon SMI
San Francisco, CA - The Colorado Rockies scored three runs before Madison Bumgarner's grand slam gave the Giants the lead and the 6-5 win over the Rockies. The southpaw got off to a rocky start and later settled in for one of the most memorable games of his career.
"He found a way to win that game and he did it with the bat tonight," said manager Bruce Bochy.
"It was a battle those first two innings and really the whole game with that offense over there," Bumgarner said. "They're really good, you can't afford to go out there and not be on top of your game."
Colorado is usually unsuccessful with getting hits in AT&T Park and especially off Bumgarner. In the first frame he surrendered three singles, a walk and a run but was able to get out of the jam by striking out Drew Stubbs to end the inning.
The Rockies got on board first when Michael Cuddyer was at-bat, Josh Rutledge got picked off stealing second and Brandon Barnes scored. Carlos Gonzalez splashed in McCovey Cove with a two-run homer in the third. Gonzalez is the only Rockies player to ever splash in the Cove and he's done it twice, hitting one last year on May 25th.
"You've got to treat him like he's a hitter," said Gonzalez. "Over the years he's proven he can handle the bat. First at-bat he hit the ball hard. He saw a cookie with the bases loaded and took advantage."
Bumgarner yielded three runs but settled down by the fourth to retire the side. San Francisco staged a rally bottom of the inning when Jorge De La Rosa loaded the bases with two outs. De La Rosa walked in the Giants next run by issuing a free pass to Brandon Crawford.
Then Bumgarner stole the show with a grand slam giving San Francisco the lead and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. It was bound to happen, his last at-bat was a fly ball to center fielder Stubbs and that ball was just shy of a home run. Bumgarner got another chance and he did not disappoint.
"Bumgarner's the guy that did all the damage and you don't expect that," Bochy said.
"I'm just thankful to run into something and score some runs," said Bumgarner. "I'm always trying to swing into something. It's important to help the ball club and we (pitchers) go up there with no pressure at the plate."
It was his first grand slam of his career and his third home run. Bumgarner is the first Giants pitcher to hit a grand slam since Shawn Estes on May 24, 2000 against Montreal off Mike Johnson. He's the second San Francisco pitcher to do so since the team moved west in 1958.
Colorado didn't go gracefully, they cut the lead to one when Pablo Sandoval's throwing error to first base advanced Nolan Arenado to second. Pinch-hitter Charlie Blackmon followed with a RBI single. But two defensive plays kept the Giants ahead with one run heading into the bottom of the eighth.
Jordan Pacheco reached first on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Santiago Casilla threw to shortstop Crawford for the out. Then DJ LeMahieu lined into a double play, center fielder Juan Perez to first baseman Brandon Belt, Pacheco doubled off first to end the threat.
Closer Sergio Romo came in and sealed the victory by striking out the side. A brilliant performance from Romo who tossed a scoreless 9th inning despite battling stomach cramps yesterday. He logged a save in his first two outings this year, both coming in a series at Arizona.
"No I can't hit," said Romo. "It's huge for us, he gave us the lead and we were able to hold on to it. I'm just excited to contribute anytime I get my named called. No matter how I'm feeling, I want the ball."