Bumgarner wins 3rd straight, Giants beat Brewers

[July 25, 2011]  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Madison Bumgarner was more animated about a day at the White House than he was about his third straight decision.

Bumgarner will certainly enjoy his day in Washington after pitching into the eighth inning, helping the San Francisco Giants survive another one-run game, a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

"I just go out and pitch," said the 21-year-old, who owns a World Series ring. "I just felt like I did a good job of just making pitches."

Bumgarner and the Giants will be guests of President Barack Obama at the White House on Monday before beginning a series in Philadelphia the next day.

"It will be fun to see that place," Bumgarner said.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy was slightly more effusive about the side trip.

"It is going to be an honor," Bochy said. "When we're there, we'll think about why we're there. We get the chance to meet the President. It's going to be a fun trip. After we see the President we'll jump on a train, like the old days, and go on to Philly."

Mike Fontenot and Jeff Keppinger each drove in runs for the Giants, who have won seven of 10 games since the All-Star break. Aubrey Huff had three hits and Brandon Belt added two hits.

Ryan Braun homered for the Brewers, who lost for the third time in four games. Prince Fielder and Corey Hart each had two hits.

"They're a scrappy bunch of guys; they battle really well," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "Like their record shows, they get in tight ballgames and they seem to come out ahead."

Bumgarner (6-9) won his third straight decision after allowing a run on eight hits over 7 2-3 innings. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter. Sergio Romo got one out and Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his 31st save.

"He gives up the home run and then regroups," Bochy said. "It's a great sign that he didn't get flustered. That was an impressive outing."

Yovani Gallardo (11-7) lasted seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five.

"He threw the ball great," Roenicke said. "When you score one, you're not going to beat them. We had some guys on base, we had chances. We just need to get a couple big hits when we get those guys out there."

The Giants improved to 27-13 in one-run games and recorded their major-league leading 29th comeback victory.

Braun hit his fourth home run over his last five games to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead with two outs in the first. Bumgarner allowed his first home run in eight starts, and his fifth overall.

Bumgarner's one-out double, which ended his 0-for-15 streak, in the third set up the tying run. He scored on Keppinger's single.

Josh Wilson, sans sunglasses, lost a pop up in the sun that allowed Huff to reach base leading off the fourth. Nate Schierholtz forced him at second but Belt followed with a hit-and-run single. Fontenot followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.

"I usually don't like wearing them. It darkens the ball," Wilson said. "In hindsight, I probably should have had them on. It didn't get into the sun until late. I had it probably until it was less than 20 feet above my head and that's when it finally went in the sun."

Bumgarner retired 12 of 14 batters at one point. He gave way to Sergio Romo with two outs and a runner on in the eighth.

Gallardo, who threw eight shutout innings against the Giants on May 29 in Milwaukee, has not won two in a row since his six-game winning streak ended June 9. He's 3-5 over his last nine starts.

NOTES: Bumgarner has walked two or fewer batters in each of his last 19 starts, the longest stretch since Juan Marichal went 21 straight over two seasons, 1970-71. ... The Brewers resigned LHP Chase Wright after releasing him 10 days ago. He's scheduled to start for the Nashville Sounds. ... Fielder was 2-for-28 before singling in his first two at bats. ... Huff recorded a three-hit game for the first time since June 12. ... The Giants' bullpen has allowed one hit over its last 13 2-3 innings.

[Associated Press]

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