Giants Bodyslam Dodgers With Seven-run Inning

Giants bodyslam Dodgers with seven-run inning Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, his team firmly ensconced in the playoffs, pulled a very effective starting pitcher in Rich Hill after five innings and 82 pitches with one-run lead. Bumgarner's two-run double was one of three big hits in a seven-run inning that hoisted the Giants to a 9-3 victory Friday night that was critical after their two wild-card rivals, the Mets and Cardinals, also both won. The Giants could clinch a playoff spot as soon as Saturday if they beat Clayton Kershaw and the Cardinals lose. In his 100th career win, Bumgarner allowed three runs in 72/3 innings and walked off to a standing ovation after he finished a fine regular season. Nostalgic old-timers must have felt this was a Friday night at Candlestick when two miscreants wearing blue shirts ran onto the field in some sort of planned protest in the fourth inning, then learned that ballplayers really do lift weights. The Giants administered a different form of battery against McCarthy and right-hander Josh Ravin in the sixth, when they sent eight men to the plate and scored seven runs before they made an out. The seven-run Giants rally started with a Pagan walk and singles by Brandon Crawford and Kelby Tomlinson that loaded the bases. Pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie preceded Bumgarner's two-run double with one of his own. After Denard Span chased McCarthy with a single, Belt hit a three-run homer against Ravin to send Giants fans into a frenzy, drunk on a 9-3 lead. Bumgarner and Hill each allowed two first-inning runs then shut the other team down until Carlos Ruiz, Rob Segedin and Kiké Hernandez hit successive two-out singles in the sixth inning to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead. Hernandez then doubled to launch the Giants' two-run first. Team A (likely the the Cards) will host Team B (likely the Mets) on Monday, with the winner hosting Wednesday’s wild-card game. The loser travels to play Team C (likely the Giants) on Tuesday, with the winner claiming the final wild-card spot.