San Francisco, CA -- The only competition going on right now is between the Giants pitchers. For the first time in the history of the franchise, they have recorded four-consecutive shutout games. This is unbelievable baseball we are watching here. It's like the passing of the baton in a relay race, with each runner gaining more stride and speed.
Tonight was Madison Bumgarner's turn to keep the streak going. San Francisco's 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds was the small prize for the organization. An epic performance from the pitchers has captivated many with their remarkable pitching leaving many in disbelief.
"It doesn't get much better than that," said manager Dusty Baker. "He [Madison Bumgarner] had that going into the sixth. He had everything working for him, the change-up, occasional curve ball. He threw a great game."
Bumgarner pitched his first complete game without giving up a hit until the sixth inning. For nine frames he surrendered one hit, two walks and eight strikeouts. The anticipated match-up between Madison and Johnny Cueto turned out to be a one-sided show for the Giants.
The southpaw became San Francisco's first pitcher to win 10 games this season and the first to win five games in a calendar month since Tim Lincecum did it back in September 2010.
"It's nice to finally get a complete game but I had a little luck on my side," Bumgarner said. "My mindset was to go out there and make good pitches, especially against this team, they've hurt me in the past couple of games."
The last two times these teams met luck was not on his side. Bumgarner came into this game with a 0-2 record and 8.56 ERA in his three career starts against the Reds. Now he has a 10-4 record with a 2.85 ERA.
The Giants have recorded 36-scoreless innings, which is the longest scoreless streak in San Francisco's franchise history since July 26-30. They surpassed the longest scoreless streak in the SF-era history, which was 35 innings (May 10-14, 1960).
"It's been quite an impressive run these guys have been on," said manager Bruce Bochy. "That's how good they are. They all have been locked in. Four consecutive shutouts, I've never seen it, it's so hard to do."
After Barry Zito, Ryan Vogelsong and Lincecum each pitched seven innings in a three-game sweep of the Dodgers. Madison followed with a memorable night of his own. Tomorrow night, Matt Cain returns to the mound to face Mike Leake, will he keep the streak alive?
"I didn't think we were going to get shutout," Baker said, when asked what his thoughts were about the four-game shutout. "No, I don't know if I've ever seen that or not, I don't know. It's a pretty good streak that they're on, they're in a real good place right now."