San Francisco made their first trip of the season to Chavez Ravine to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 3 game opening weekend series. The Giants come in riding a 2 game winning streak and continued their potent offense that started in Arizona. The starters Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain both looked to get back on track after having a rough time in their first appearances of the season. The offense led by hot hitting Brandon Belt wanted to keep their NL leading home run and RBI mark.
Madison Bumgarner got the ball in game 2 of the series, and pitched like an ace. He kept the Giants in the game with his stellar command of his fastball, cutter and slider. He used a little bit of everything and was able to command the corners of the strike zone consistently which allowed him to rack up on strike outs. He got some help from his offense in the 4th and 5th innings with home runs from Michael Morse (first as a Giant), Pablo Sandoval (3-run homer) and Buster Posey. Those runs would be the only ones Bumgarner needed as he struck out 10 Dodgers in 6.1 innings. He gave up 2 earned runs, walked only 1 and scattered 8 hits. He got bailed out of the 7th inning thanks to Santiago Casilla, who came in with the bases loaded and 1 out and got pinch hitter Yasiel Puig to fly out. Hunter Pence then came to the rescue and he unleashed his cannon to throw out A.J. Ellis on a base hit by Andre Ethier. His 3rd outfield assist of the young season. Casilla with his electric movement on all his pitches especially his two-seam fastball that clocks in at 94-96mph that ran away from lefty's and into righty's helped him get out of jams.
Game 2: San Francisco 7, Los Angeles 2
Matt Cain had trouble in the final game of the series, giving up the long ball. His command this time was a lot better, being able to have a feel for his curveball and slider. The problem he had was balls that were left up in the zone to Matt Kemp twice and Hanley Ramirez. They did not wait long to park those balls beyond the fence, putting the Giants in a 4-0 hole early in the game. Besides the 3 home runs Cain was able to pitch well, commanding the strike zone and keeping the Dodger hitters off the bases. He went 6 innings, allowed 5 earned runs, walked 0 and struck out 3. He got ground balls and fly balls when he needed to and all the hitters besides Ramirez and Kemp off balance all night. The Giants offense had an off night at the hands of Dodger pitcher Zach Greinke who pitched masterfully despite giving up home runs to Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence.
Game 3: Los Angeles 6, San Francisco 2
SF wins series 2-1
Now the Giants head home and have an off day tomorrow to get prepared to face the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second time this season. The home opener for the Giants on Tuesday. I will have a series recap for the Giants vs D-backs on Thursday.
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