San Francisco

Bumgarner's Pinch-Hit Walkoff Single Wins It For Giants

SAN FRANCISCO —The Giants somehow ran out of position players through their first nine innings Tuesday, even with an expanded roster. All that did was lead to a pretty memorable moment at AT&T Park.

Madison Bumgarner came off the bench and lined a single to left in the bottom of the 12th, giving the Giants a 5-4 walk-off win over the Padres. Gorkys Hernandez led off the bottom of the 12th with a triple and Bumgarner ended the night soon after. He then denied a Gatorade bath, effortlessly pushing Alen Hanson away.

The night featured a couple of the second half's best moments, including a throwback to 2014. In the seventh inning, Gregor Blanco hit a two-run double, driving in Joe Panik and Hunter Pence to turn a deficit into a lead. Pence jumped up and screamed as he slid across the plate. Blanco emphatically clapped his hands at second base. It was a fun moment in a season lacking too many of them, and it brought a small crowd to life at AT&T Park.

The vibes wouldn't last long. Will Smith blew the save in the top of the ninth, and on it went.

—- Chris Stratton had some serious command issues and lasted just 4 2/3 innings in his final start of the year. Stratton gave up six hits and three runs while walking five. He got off to a great start this year and had another solid run in late August and early September, but he’ll end the year with a 4.85 ERA.

—- Pence crushed a low slider into the left field seats in the fifth to get the Giants within a run. The ball had an exit velocity of 102 mph. He earlier hit one 108 mph. Dude is still strong.

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