San Francisco Giants: Offense Sputters Again in Bumgarner’s return to Kansas City

In Madison Bumgarner’s first appearance at Kauffman Stadium since game 7 of the 2014 World Series, the San Francisco Giants offense was once again unable to give him much support, as the Giants were shut out by the Royals, 2-0.

For the third time in four games, the Giants’ first 10 hitters were all set down, as Jason Vargas was in complete control.

The Giants finally got their two base-runners in the top of the fourth, as Brandon Belt and Buster Posey singled, but Brandon Crawford popped out with two outs.

The Giants also wasted an opportunity in the fifth, as they couldn’t knock in Nick Hundley, who reached second base with his team-leading sixth double.

For Bumgarner, he escaped jams in the second and third innings, and then the Royals broke through against him in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out infield single by Mike Moustakas that knocked in Paulo Orlando.

Bumgarner escaped further damage after a double by Lorenzo Cain, but he was pulled after six innings.

Steve Okert pitched a scoreless bottom of the seventh, but the Royals got to George Kontos in the eighth.

Salvador Perez came through in the clutch with a one-out RBI single, and despite the Giants getting Aaron Hill to third in the ninth, they were unable to get to Royals’ closer Kelvin Herrera.

The San Francisco Giants have fallen to 6-10 on the season, and they are off to almost the exact same start as 2015.

Just like the start of that season, the Giants have fallen under .500, and they have had a very difficult time hitting with runners in scoring position.

For the Giants, the story was once again the lack offense for Bumgarner, as seen in his other three starts, as the Giants went 0-5 with runners in scoring position.

Bumgarner is now 0-3 on the season. However, he has pitched much better as his record suggests. Despite the lack of offensive support, Bumgarner’s ERA is right at three.

Gorkys Hernandez got the start in centerfield tonight, and he went 0-2. He is now 0 for his last 24. Hernandez could be the odd man out if he continues to struggle, especially with Michael Morse and Mac Williamson making progress in their rehab assignments. However, Aaron Hill hasn’t fared much better.

Denard Span struck out pinch-hitting for Hernandez tonight, and he is off to another rough start, as his average has dipped down to .205.

Team News

The Giants will head to Denver for an off day tomorrow, and then they will begin a three-game series against the Colorado on Friday night.

Johnny Cueto will take the mound against Tyler Chatwood, who shut out the San Francisco Giants on Saturday in San Francisco. The first pitch will be at 5:40.