San Francisco Giants Look to Keep Bats Hot Against Rockies

Game 3: Madison Bumgarner (7-4, 3.04 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (3-9, 5.96 ERA)

Jun 23, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher

(40) throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

What does Bumgarner have to do to get a win? Despite three straight outstanding starts, he has nothing to show for it except an 0-2 record. Bumgarner threw eight innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, gave up one run, and lost 1-0. He then threw eight innings against the Seattle Mariners, gave up two runs, and lost 2-0.

On Tuesday, he struck out a career-high 14 in 7.1 innings, but allowed a pair of runs, and didn’t factor into the decision. He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning for the second straight start, and looks like he’s getting closer and closer to that historic milestone. It seems like it’s just a matter of time at this point.

Bumgarner hasn’t faced the Rockies yet this year, but is 9-6 against them, including 5-1 at AT&T Park. Carlos Gonzalez has great numbers against Bumgarner, going 14-40 (.350) with three doubles and five home runs. Troy Tulowitzki also has had success, going 10-26 (.385) with two doubles and two home runs.

Kendrick is not enjoying his first season with his new team. He hasn’t been good at home, sporting a 6.70 ERA, but he hasn’t been much better on the road either, as evidenced by a 5.33 ERA. He’s allowed 21 total home runs, more than anyone else in baseball.

He faced the Giants earlier this season, and allowed four runs in 6.1 innings in what would eventually be a loss. Posey is 6-12 (.500) career against Kendrick, and Casey McGehee is 7-20 (.350) with a double and a home run.

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