SAN DIEGO – Madison Bumgarner did not make a statement with his bat Saturday night. He struck out looking at a breaking pitch, grounded out to third base and then he dropped his matte black model in disappointment after hitting a fly out to center field.
The Giants don’t require Bumgarner to hit a home run every time he pitches. But they really should beat the San Diego Padres when they have their ace on the mound. And they need their eight paid professional hitters to give them more than meek swings and poor plate discipline.
The Giants barely touched right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, mustered nothing against the Padres bullpen and are off to their worst start in nine years after a 2-1 loss at Petco Park.