Madison Bumgarner showed Tuesday night why he is the guy that can carry the San Francisco Giants back to the World Series.
Advertisement
Kontos stranded two inherited runners to preserve the one-run deficit, but Lowrie cleared the arcade with his two-out shot in the eighth.
In winning for the fifth time in his last six starts, Bumgarner (13-6) went the distance for the second time this season, allowing one run on five hits. He didn’t walk a batter in the 105-pitch performance. Bumgarner also posted his 23rd career double-digit strikeout game and fourth this season. He also had every reason to feel confident against the Astros: He threw a complete game against them May 12 at Houston. One of the best plays I’ve seen this year was the catch that Carlos Gomez made off the bat of Matt Duffy in the bottom of the first inning. 265 with 24 doubles, three triples and seven home runs at Sacramento in 83 games. Catcher Jason Castro, who is 3-for-20 on the trip, will likely return to the lineup Wednesday after being rested Tuesday.TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.46 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Heston (11-6, 3.48)Feldman took a no-decision against Oakland on Thursday after yielding two runs while throwing 113 pitches over six innings. Maxwell was credited with a two-out hit.
Second baseman Ehire Adrianza followed with a similar grounder in front of the plate. Heston would last two more batters before a walk to Luis Valbuena would lead to his departure. Gattis scored on Chris Carter’s single with two out.
Belt and Astros shortstop Jose Altuve, who had a pair of singles, were the only players in the game with multiple hits.
NOTES: Despite the loss, the Astros (10-3) retained baseball’s best record in interleague play. The Giants have a 10-5 record SU against the American League.
And that offense will look to remain active with the upcoming stretch, starting with getting Bumgarner some support against a very tough Scott Kazmir. “I consider this place like a second home”.
The Astros have lost three straight in Oakland over the weekend, and have won once in their last seven games. 500 or better. San Francisco entered the game 23-26 against teams over.500….
He did not play Tuesday as the Giants administered concussion tests.
Nori Aoki, who was hit in the head by a pitch on Sunday’s game against the Cubs, left today’s game after feeling lightheaded.
Advertisement
One other possibility: the Giants could cut short Andrew Susac s rehab assignment – he s catching for Single-A San Jose on Wednesday – and activate him to replace Aoki on the roster. The Astros are known for their power, smashing a league-leading 156 home runs.
