Chicago Cubs drop series finale to Bumgarner, Giants in 9-1 loss

Bumgarner finishes strong; Bryant extends hitting streak

For the first time this season, the San Francisco Giants were able to pick up a series win against the Chicago Cubs behind a strong performance by Madison Bumgarner who struck out 12 batters in the 9-1 victory.

The only run of the game for the Cubs (73-53) came during the top of the second inning on an RBI double by second baseman Starlin Castro to score Anthony Rizzo from first.

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Kris Bryant – who picked up his first career start in right field – extended his hitting streak to seven games in the top of the ninth, beating out a ball that had been hit to shortstop Ehire Adrianza. It was their first hit since the second inning.

With struggling right-hander Dan Haren on the mound, outfielder Juan Perez tied the game up at one apiece on his first RBI double of the season to push Kelby Tomlinson across to score during the home half of the second.

Haren (8-9, 3.90 ERA) was charged with five of San Francisco’s (68-59) nine runs on six hits while issuing three walks and striking out four. Former Cub, Marlon Byrd broke things wide open with a three-run shot to straightaway center field, putting the Giants up 5-1 to cap off a four-run third inning.

Bumgarner (16-6, 2.97 ERA) tied Jake Arrieta with his 16th win of the season and absolutely dominated this lineup after falling behind early on in the game. He held the Cubs to one earned run on two hits and remained perfect in the month of August while bumping his K/BB ratio to 53/4. 

Skipper Bruce Bochy opted to pull him after the sixth inning, relying on the bullpen the rest of the way. His lineup continued to hammer Chicago’s pitching staff with another four-run inning late in the game.

Southpaw James Russell entered the game in the eighth as a part of a double switch which had Tommy La Stella (pinch-hitter) remained in the game and played third.

Russell would load up the bases with no outs only to give up a grand slam to left field off the bat of Tomlinson. This made it 9-1 and appeared to be the nail in the coffin.

Chicago, however, made two key defensive plays in the seventh inning beginning with Nori Aoki. Aoki lined a ball down the left field line with Denorfia hoping to make a play but had it bounce off his glove when making a sliding attempt.

Denorfia wasn’t sure if it was called fair or not, but Aoki kept rounding the bases. Chris finally got to his feet, picked up the ball and fired to the cutoff man, Addison Russell, who made the relay throw to Kyle Schwarber to tag Aoki out at the plate.

Chris Coghlan followed that up with a spectacular diving play to end the inning, robbing Matt Duffy of extra bases.

The Cubs will travel to Los Angeles to kick-off a weekend series with Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers tomorrow evening.

Next: Cubs: A look at September call-ups