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Bumgarner goes for Giants against Brewers

Jul 24, 2011 - 2:33 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Giants haven't given Madison Bumgarner much run support at home. They'll be hoping to reverse that trend Sunday when he takes the ball in the rubber match of a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at AT&T Park.

After winning seven games and pitching well in the postseason last year, Bumgarner lost his first six decisions to start this season. But he's since won five of eight and has lowered his earned run average to 3.72.

Bumgarner's most recent victory came Tuesday at home against the Dodgers, when he allowed three runs and four hits and struck out seven over eight innings in a 5-3 win.

"I felt just as strong at the end as I did early on, which was nice," said Bumgarner, who has allowed more than three earned runs in just two of his last 17 outings.

Bumgarner retired the final 16 batters he faced and received more than three runs of support for the first time in his career at AT&T. He is just 2-5 at home this season with a 5.07 ERA.

The 21-year-old left-hander split his two starts against the Brewers last season, but only allowed two runs in 13 2/3 innings pitched.

Milwaukee didn't get anything going after Ryan Vogelsong exited Saturday's game, as the Giants bullpen hurled four hitless innings to carry the hosts to a 4-2 win. Vogelsong was still credited with the win, while Nate Schierholtz went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the victors.

Scoring runs on Sunday could prove to be difficult for a Giants team that has been handled for the most part by the pitcher who will take the mound for Milwaukee.

Yovani Gallardo, the talented right-hander, tossed eight scoreless innings to beat the Giants back on May 29 and is an impressive 5-2 lifetime against them with a 3.02 ERA in seven starts.

Gallardo improved to 11-6 this season on Tuesday in Arizona, as he allowed three runs (one earned) and four hits over six innings to lower his ERA to 3.96. He also struck out six in the win, his second in three starts.

The Brewers won two of three matchups with San Francisco at Miller Park from May 27-29.






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