Detroit Vs. San Francisco 7-1-11
Considering the San Francisco Giants needed to use their bullpen extensively in a second straight walk-off loss, they could use an impressive starting performance in their opener at Comerica Park.
A repeat of Madison Bumgarner's latest effort would certainly suffice.
The left-hander bounced back from the worst outing of his career with one of his best, something he'll look to build on when he makes his interleague road debut Friday night against the Detroit Tigers.
Bumgarner (4-9, 3.84 ERA) had a 2.03 ERA in 10 starts from April 27-June 15, but he only recorded one out and was charged with eight runs in falling 9-2 to Minnesota on June 21.
Five days later, he proved the standard he'd set over the previous seven weeks was no exception. Bumgarner struck out a career-high 11 and held Cleveland to a run and six hits over seven innings in a 3-1 win.
"He's a big kid. He has a good head on his shoulders," reliever Jeremy Affeldt said of the 21-year-old Bumgarner. "That was awesome. That was probably bigger than just a good outing for him. I think it was a big part of his maturing process."
After recovering from his poor outing at home, Bumgarner should be happy to hit the road for just the second time since May 30. He's posted a 1.99 ERA and turned in six consecutive quality starts away from AT&T Park.
The Giants (46-36) will simply be happy to leave Wrigley Field after the past two days. San Francisco swept a doubleheader from the Cubs on Tuesday to extend its winning streak to seven, but Aramis Ramirez denied the NL West leaders wins Wednesday and Thursday.
Ramirez singled in Tony Campana in the ninth inning to give Chicago a 2-1 win Wednesday, then hit a tying blast in the ninth off closer Brian Wilson on Thursday. The Giants took the lead in the top of the 13th, but Ramon Ramirez surrendered a three-run homer to Geovany Soto to give the Cubs a 5-2 victory.
Manager Bruce Bochy wasn't upset with a relief corps that gave him 5 2-3 innings, though. He was more concerned about an offense that went 10 1-3 innings without a hit at one point against Chicago's bullpen.
"We've got to get these bats going," Bochy said. "We've got some guys who are scuffling. So, we'll have to make some changes here."
Detroit (44-38) had a much more pleasant sendoff against the Mets after two ugly losses. The Tigers gave up 30 runs to New York on Tuesday and Wednesday, but Justin Verlander helped them salvage Thursday's finale with seven innings of one-run ball in a 5-2 victory.
"Each day is a new day in baseball, and that's the beautiful thing about this. They go out and score however many runs in two days with a bunch of hits, but you turn the page," Verlander said.
Brad Penny (5-6, 4.66) gets the ball in the opener for Detroit, and he's fared well against the NL in his past two starts despite getting little support. He held the Dodgers to two runs over six innings in a 4-0 loss June 20, then limited Arizona to two runs over 6 2-3 innings Sunday and left without a decision in an 8-3 win.
Penny, who made six starts for San Francisco down the stretch in 2009, has enjoyed facing his former team. He's 3-0 with a 0.47 ERA in three starts against the Giants since 2008.
Aubrey Huff is 0 for 13 against Penny, but Pablo Sandoval and Andres Torres are a combined 6 for 7.
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