Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: Giants do the little things for big win against Mets
Share This Post
Comments
Sunday, May 1, 2016 - 3:00pm
Follow @@AlexPavlovic

NEW YORK — Hunter Pence hit a 98 mph fastball over the right field fence. Buster Posey put a pitch over the left field fence. Madison Bumgarner pitched six shutout innings. Four bases were stolen.

Yes, the Giants did a lot of things right on Sunday, and yet there might not have been a bigger play than a groundout to second. 

With one out, runners on the corners, and Noah Syndergaard -- one of the toughest pitchers in the National League -- on the mound, Posey took off on a 3-2 pitch. Brandon Belt managed to pull the 98 mph pitch to the right side, and because Posey was running the Mets couldn’t turn a double play. That, in turn, allowed Matt Duffy’s run to count, and it set in motion a chain of events that led to a 6-1 sweep-avoiding win at Citi Field. Pence followed with a two-run homer to right and Bumgarner and the bullpen carried the lead home.

“You have to do the little things,” Bumgarner said. “Obviously some games you can get by without that and things go your way, but if you want to be a winning team you have to do the little things.”

That’s especially true against the game’s best pitchers, as Bumgarner has faced Clayton Kershaw twice, Zack Greinke, and now Syndergaard in his six starts. The Giants knew that Syndergaard, for all his strengths — the 100 mph fastball, the 95 mph slider, the 90 mph changeup and on and on — was vulnerable with runners on base. Twenty-four of 26 runners have been successful in Syndergaard’s two years in the big leagues and the Giants padded that number. Duffy stole two bases, Brandon Crawford took one, and Kelby Tomlinson added a fourth off Antonio Bastardo.

“We felt with our guys that this would be a game we could take some risks and steal some bases,” Bochy said. 

[INSTANT REPLAY: Bumgarner, Giants top Mets, avoid sweep]

Duffy twice scored after stealing second. The first one came after he had knocked a two-strike curveball into center in the fourth, starting the game-winning rally. Posey kept a solid approach and singled to right, and that’s when he took off to avoid a double play.

“That was critical,” Bochy said. 

Bumgarner took advantage of the run support, retiring seven of the next eight Mets on a day when he felt much closer to his old self. He said he’s still not 100 percent right with his mechanics, but his velocity ticked up a bit Sunday. Bumgarner said he’s “real close” to being where he wants to be.

This “not quite right” version of Bumgarner has still managed a 3.03 ERA and three wins, and Sunday’s was a big one. 

“Guys put some tough at-bats on him and got his pitch count up a little, but you can’t ask for much more than six shutout innings,” Posey said. He smiled after he said those words. 

“I mean, you can …” he added.

Thanks to the little things, the Giants didn’t have to.

--- The Giants are saying positive things about Angel Pagan’s hamstring strain, but they can’t go much longer with two guys hurting, even when they do call a player up Monday. At some point they may need to DL a guy to get him right, but it sounds like they’ll hold the line through the Reds series. 

--- Speaking of the DL, George Kontos threw a 30-pitch bullpen session and felt good. He’ll throw 35 pitches off the mound Tuesday and could throw a live BP session Friday or so. Kontos is getting close to returning. 

--- The old #HappyFlight puts guys in a good mood. Posey said the Mets are “hopefully a team we’ll see later in the year” and Mets writers perked up. He looked at the crowd and added, “I don’t know when we play them again.” A couple guys told him it’s August. “So we will see them later in the year,” Posey said. 

Later, a local reporter asked Bumgarner what it was like pitching with a 3-1 lead.

“What lead?” he said, a curious look on his face. “Three to one? Three to nothing.”

Bumgarner was then asked about the rain. He said it wasn’t until 12:30 that he learned a 1:10 start was still happening.

“I was about 20 minutes late in my pre-game routine,” Bumgarner said. “It’s a good thing I’m not a big routine guy.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Norris: Raiders smart for loading front seven; plan for Connor Cook
Inside Pitch: Will A's seriously consider signing Lincecum?
Norris: 49ers draft pick Blair could be 'diamond in the rough'
Horrow: Chase already benefiting from Warriors arena sponsorship

Giants

Samardzija shreds Reds over eight innings, Giants win 3-1
Dusty Baker still relying on Kirk Rueter's luck with Nationals
Giants lineup: Blanco in, Williamson out
Giants slug their way back to beat Reds in Cueto's return
Read More

Athletics

Notes: A's will scout Tim Lincecum's showcase in Arizona
LIVE: Mariners vs A's
A's lineup: Phegley behind the dish to catch Gray vs Mariners
Davis' two home runs wasted in A's loss to Mariners
Read More

Sharks

LIVE: Sharks vs Predators
Notes: Sharks hope to manage puck better; Marleau's minutes
Morning Skate: Keep an eye on Couture in Game 3 vs Preds
Sharks sitting pretty, but Preds 'encouraged' after Game 2
Read More

49ers

Marin native, No. 1 pick Jared Goff lands on SI cover
49ers file for arbitration over Levi's Stadium rent dispute
Stubblefield's attorneys fire back, attack accuser's background
Mailbag: 49ers GM Baalke on hot seat?
Read More

Raiders

Report: Raiders' Walford suffered knee injury in ATV accident
Raiders' draft shows confidence in LBs Heeney, Ball
NFL Draft grades: Raiders best in AFC West
Source: Raiders decline Hayden's fifth-year option
Read More

Warriors

Return uncertain, Curry making progress Warriors 'looking for'
LIVE: Blazers vs Warriors
NBA: Five missed calls in wild finish to Thunder-Spurs game
Gameday: Warriors single-digit favorites in Game 2
Read More

NCAA

Cal lands five-star No. 1 athlete recruit Demetris Robertson
Cal's Under Armour deal comes at critical time for university
Cal forward Rabb passes NBA, returns for sophomore season
Report: Rabb 'strongly considering' returning to Cal
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Samardzija shreds Reds over eight innings, Giants win 3-1
(3)
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

Cueto displays emotions after return to Cincinnati vs Reds
Cueto displays emotions after return to Cincinnati vs Reds
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Morning After: Cueto unsure how Reds fans will greet him
  • Report: Lincecum showcase set for Friday; Giants will attend
  • Rewind: Giants do the little things for big win against Mets
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Notes: A's will scout Tim Lincecum's showcase in Arizona
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Inside Pitch: Will A's seriously consider signing Lincecum?
Inside Pitch: Will A's seriously consider signing Lincecum?
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Sharks vs Predators
CSN Bay Area staff

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: Jones saved Sharks from more home blues vs Predators
Kurz: Jones saved Sharks from more home blues vs Predators
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Notes: Sharks hope to manage puck better; Marleau's minutes
  • Morning Skate: Keep an eye on Couture in Game 3 vs Preds
  • Sharks sitting pretty, but Preds 'encouraged' after Game 2
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Return uncertain, Curry making progress Warriors 'looking for'
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Horrow: Chase already benefiting from Warriors arena sponsorship
Horrow: Chase already benefiting from Warriors arena sponsorship
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

14 coaching candidates left standing for Kings' job
James Ham

Kings Video

Horrow: Massive rebranding offseason cleans Kings' slate
Horrow: Massive rebranding offseason cleans Kings' slate
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Marin native, No. 1 pick Jared Goff lands on SI cover
(3)
CSN Bay Area staff

49ers VIDEO

Norris: 49ers draft pick Blair could be 'diamond in the rough'
Norris: 49ers draft pick Blair could be 'diamond in the rough'
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Report: Raiders' Walford suffered knee injury in ATV accident
(10)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Norris: Raiders smart for loading front seven; plan for Connor Cook
Norris: Raiders smart for loading front seven; plan for Connor Cook
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

MLS Roundup: Morris vs Wondo as prodigy meets scoring legend
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Two Quakes named to USMNT's 2016 Copa America roster
Instant Replay: Dawkins rescues Quakes for draw vs Union
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Notes: A's will scout Tim Lincecum's showcase in Arizona
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Morning After: Cueto unsure how Reds fans will greet him
(9)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Mailbag: 49ers GM Baalke on hot seat?
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Report: Raiders' Walford suffered knee injury in ATV accident
(10)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Return uncertain, Curry making progress Warriors 'looking for'
See more >

JAMES HAM

14 coaching candidates left standing for Kings' job
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Notes: Sharks hope to manage puck better; Marleau's minutes
(17)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Too soon to think about dueling parades for Warriors, Sharks?

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

VOTE YOUR FAVORITE ALL-STAR TEACHER

ast

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Norris: Raiders smart for loading front seven; plan for Connor Cook
Norris: Raiders smart for loading front seven; plan for Connor Cook
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California