Written by Grant Brisbee at McCovey Chronicles.com
In the final game of the first half of the 2016 season, Madison Bumgarner threw a one-hit shutout to complete a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks. The win helped the Giants improve to 57-33, which is the best record in baseball.
There are ways to make that opening paragraph better. It could have been a no-hitter. It could have been a perfect game. It could have been a four-game sweep. Could have been a four-game sweep against the Dodgers. And they could be 67-23 or 77-13. But, my stars, look at that opening paragraph. We’re at the traditional halfway point of the season, past the mathematical halfway point, and the Giants have the best record in baseball. They’re looking good doing it, too.
We’re all so spoiled.
Remember this when you complain about Adam Duvall slipping away during the Home Run Derby on Monday night. Remember how spoiled you are. You don’t have to feel guilty. Just giggle more. Live it up a little. In the final game of the first half of the 2016 season, Madison Bumgarner threw a one-hit shutout to complete a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks. The win helped the Giants improve to 57-33, which is the best record in baseball. Keep reading that, over and over again.
For the second time in 10 months, Bumgarner lost a no-hitter in the eighth inning. While the default response to something like that is “He’ll throw a no-hitter someday, don’t worry,” that’s not always the case. Roger Clemens never threw a no-hitter. Greg Maddux never threw a no-hitter. Pitchers don’t get a no-hitter like a gold watch when they retire just because they were talented and loyal. This might have been the best chance he’ll ever have.
At the same time, he’ll throw a no-hitter someday. Don’t worry. How can you disagree after watching that? Bumgarner made opposing hitters look uncomfortable all night, dusting off an ungodly curveball for the first time this year, using it more than he’s used it for over a year. The Diamondbacks kept swinging over the top, forever expecting the cutter on the hands, which was probably coming next. If you want to use Bill James’s Game Score, Sunday night was tied for Bumgarner’s best start ever. If you don’t want to compare them, I’d understand. They’re like your children. Jimmy is better at piano, Marigold is better at math, and Ray is better at holding smaller children down and getting sent to the office. They’re all different shades of the same beautiful, and you don’t want to choose.
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