Padres battle back, pick up extra innings victory over Giants
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It took over seven innings, but the San Diego Padres were finally able to get to San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner Tuesday. San Diego managed a late comeback, winning the contest 3-2.
It didn’t look so promising early. Bumgarner was dominant to start the game. He held the Padres hitless over the first 4 2/3 innings. Yonder Alonso finally broke up Bumgarner’s perfect game with a single in the top of the fifth.
Though Bumgarner proved to be mortal, he still refused to give up any runs. After working out of a jam in the fifth, Bumgarner got through the sixth and seventh innings without allowing the Padres to score.
Things started to fall apart in the eighth. Bumgarner walked Alonso to open the frame. That was followed up by a Will Middlebrooks double.
With men in scoring position, Bumgarner had his work cut out. After a Clint Barmes strikeout, things were starting to look up for Bumgarner. That’s when Will Venable struck.
Venable pinch hit in the pitcher’s slot, and tied the game on the two-run double. The game would remained tied through regulation, eventually going into extras.
The Padres would prevail in the top of the 11th. With men on first and second, Alexi Amarista drove in what would be the game-winning run on a single up the middle. Amarista had replaced Matt Kemp, who had been ejected earlier in the game.
With the victory, San Diego improved to 35-38 on the year.
STRASBURG STRONG IN RETURN
Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg turned in a fine performance during his return from a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old tossed five scoreless innings during a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves.
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In his first start since May 29, Strasburg looked more like his old self. He allowed just four hits and struck out six batters over five innings of work. Strasburg gave up just one walk during the outing.
Strasburg was on a pitch count, so that explains why he was removed after tossing 94 pitches over five innings.
Considering how rough Strasburg’s season has been thus far, this start was a big step in the right direction.
With the outing, Strasburg lowered his ERA to 5.90 on the year.
MIKE MONTGOMERY GETS HIS REVENGE
Once upon a time, Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Montgomery was considered a top prospect with the Kansas City Royals. He seemed to use that as extra motivation during a 7-0 win Tuesday.
Montgomery was an absolute stud. The lefty went the distance, giving up four hits with 10 strikeouts during a complete game shutout.
Montgomery didn’t walk a batter during the contest, putting him in rarefied territory.
Considering the Mariners have employed both Randy Johnson and Mark Langston, that’s actually pretty impressive.
Montgomery wasn’t even with Seattle during spring training. The club acquired him for Erasmo Ramirez just before the start of the regular season. In five starts with his new team, Montgomery has a 2.04 ERA.
CUBS TAKE ANOTHER CLOSE ONE
The Chicago Cubs have a knack for winning close games. They proved that again Tuesday, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0.
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With the win, the Cubs improved to 39-30 on the year. A big part of the team’s success has been winning close games.
The club leads the majors with nine walk-off hits, which explains a big chunk of that impressive record.
This time, Chris Denorfia played the hero. With the bases loaded in the ninth, Denorfia lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Matt Szczur from third.
Chicago is 6.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.
Want to see more from Tuesday’s slate of games? Check out our scoreboard.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
