Giants rookie pitcher Madison Bumgarner lived up to the hype Tuesday night, shutting down the Milwaukee Brewers to earn his first Major League win.
Making just his third start of the season, and fourth of his career, the 20 year old lefty was fantastic. He threw eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, and striking out five in the process. It was the type of performance that the Giants brass and fans have been dreaming of since Bumgarner was the organization's first round pick in 2007. He started the season ranked as the team's #2 prospect behind Buster Posey.
It's been an up and down year for Bumgarner. After getting married on Valentine's Day, he failed to make the team in Spring Training. He struggled in Triple-A Fresno at first, and even got suspended for three games after getting into an argument with an umpire. Then, after getting called up, he lost his first two starts with the big club despite pitching well. Then came Tuesday's gem.
If his pitching performance wasn't enough, he also picked up his first career RBI in a five run sixth inning.
With the win, the Giants are now 3-3 on their current 11 game road trip. All-Star Tim Lincecum will try to make it three wins in a row for the team on Wednesday night.
