In Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds, the Reds found a way to recover after starter Johnny Cueto left in the first inning with back spasms for a 5-2 victory. Mat Latos, who was originally scheduled to start Game 3 in Cincinnati, gave up only one run over his four innings pitched and Brandon Phillips had three RBIs for the win.
With the next three games played in Cincinnati if necessary, this is a must-win situation for the Giants. If the Reds win Game 2, the Giants would need three straight wins in Cincinnati in order to advance to the NLCS.
Some other interesting notes for this game:
Two of the Giants' best hitters against Bronson Arroyo are Hunter Pence (12-for-35 with two home runs) and Aubrey Huff (12-for-23 with one home run).
In Madison Bumgarner's last start against the Reds on June 28, he threw a one-hit shutout. Catcher Ryan Hanigan with the game's only hit and outfielder Drew Stubbs with two walks drawn were the only players to get on base. This is his only shutout in 84 major league starts.
Teams Arroyo has pitched for have lost in each of the six games he's pitched in San Francisco. He is 0-4 with a 4.11 ERA in those starts.
Hanigan and Joey Votto are the only players on the Cincinnati roster to homer off Bumgarner. Cincinnati as a team has a combined .170 batting average against him.
In the Giants' 2010 World Series run, San Francisco won each of their Game 1 matchups.
Matchup:
The San Francisco Giants will host the Cincinnati Reds at AT&T Park located in San Francisco, CA on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. PT. This will be the second game of a best-out-of-five game series.
Series record:
Reds lead series 1-0.
Starting pitcher matchup:
Cincinnati: Bronson Arroyo
2012 season: 12-10, 3.74 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 129 Ks
Career regular season numbers vs. Giants: 3-5, 3.13 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 42 K
Career regular season numbers at AT&T Park: 0-4, 4.11 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 19 Ks
San Francisco: Madison Bumgarner
2012 season: 16-11, 3.37 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 191 Ks
Career regular season numbers vs. Reds: 1-2, 5.16 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 22 Ks
Career regular season numbers at AT&T Park: 19-12, 3.08 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 243 Ks
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be nationally watched on TBS and SN and heard live on ESPN Radio.
Key contributors of Game 1:
Cincinnati:
Brandon Phillips - 3-for-5 with one home run, three RBIs and one run scored
Jay Bruce - 2-for-4 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored
Sam LeCure - 1.2 innings pitched, zero runs allowed, one hit, two walks, one strikeout
Mat Latos - 4.0 innings pitched, one run allowed, four hits, one walk, one strikeout
San Francisco:
Buster Posey - 2-for-5 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored
Gregor Blanco - 2-for-3 with one walk
George Kontos - 2.0 innings pitched, zero runs allowed, zero hits, zero walks, one strikeout
Sources:
Arroyo, Bumgarner set for Game 2 clash in NLDS, MLB.com
NLDS Game 2: Key matchup, CSN Bay Area
Cincinnati Reds/San Francisco Giants Box Score Thursday June 28, 2012, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
Matt Cain and Johnny Cueto Faceoff in NLDS Opener at AT&T Park: Fan's Preview
San Francisco Giants Announce 2012 NLDS Roster: Fan's Take
Ryan Vogelsong Starts Last Regular Season Game Against Clayton Kershaw: Fan's Preview
Giants Have Another Shot at Eliminating Dodgers from Playoff Contention: Fan's Preview
San Francisco Giants 2012 Postseason Roster Predictions: Fan's Take
Austin Chang is a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area native, baseball fan, and supporter of the San Francisco Giants. Follow this Featured Contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
