Giants’ Bats Come Alive In 12-3 Opening Day Romp Over Brewers

The Giants had their ace Madison Bumgarner on the hill against a Brewers team that finished 68-94 in 2015.  It was about a good as a start as San Francisco could hope for, but it was their offense, not their pitching that carried them this time.

While the Brewers were protected from the flurries thanks to their retractable roof at Miller Park, nothing could save them from the offensive onslaught the Giants brought in from the Bay Area.  The Brewers were able to score a run off Bumgarner in each of the first three innings but had their own pitching problems on a wintery day in the Midwest, and nothing could save them from the offensive onslaught from the Giants brought Bay Area.

After a scoreless first inning, the Giants put up runs in the next four to gain a 7-3 lead after five.  Their offense was carried by Denard Span who signed a 3-year/$31 million deal with the Giants after spending the last three seasons in Washington.  Span went 2-4 with a home run and 5 RBI.

In the eighth inning all thoughts of a Milwaukee comeback went out the window, Span hit a three run homer, and that was followed by home runs by Joe Panik and Buster Posey in the five run inning off Ariel Peña to increase the lead to 12-3.

Posey went 2-4 and and Panik finished 1-5.  Brandon Belt and Matt Duffy combined for five hits and five RBI (Duffy had four and a home run).

Bumgarner said he was feeling under the weather during the game and only pitched five innings, but 101 pitches and was charged with 3 earned runs.  He also had six strikeouts and five walks.

The Brewers offense was highlighted by Domingo Santana and Scooter Gennett who each had two hits.  Gennett and Jonathan Villar each drove in a run and Chris Carter earned an RBI on a bases loaded walk.

Brewers starter Wily Peralta was tagged for 5 runs (4 earned) in just four innings, finishing with two strikeouts and two walks, throwing 83 pitches.

The team will resume their series tonight at 8:10 PM EST with the Giants sending Johnny Cueto 11-13, 3.44 ERA last season) to face off against Jimmy Nelson (11-13, 4.11 ERA in 2015.)

Article by Nick Vigliotti