Madison Bumgarner finally proven mortal
Game 3 of the National League Division Series provided a handful of improbable moments.
A pitcher hit a three-run home run. One of the best closers in baseball was beaten. A guy who didn't have a job a year ago saved the Giants' season for the second time. The Giants came from behind to stave off elimination and live to see another day.
But in a game that lasted 13 innings and five hours, one of the most unlikely revelations happened early on.
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In the second inning, the baseball world saw it first hand — Madison Bumgarner is human.
The Giants starting pitcher was riding a 23-inning postseason scoreless streak heading into the game, leaving San Francisco with all the confidence in the world. He's been touted as invincible, one of the best postseason pitchers ever.
One Cubs player wasn't scared, though.
"He's really good, but he's beatable," Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta told reporters on Thursday before the series started.
Four days later, Arrieta was the one who proved it.
He cracked one into the left field bleachers, ending Bumgarner's streak at 24 2/3 consecutive scoreless postseason innings. Pitchers are not traditionally good hitters — though Arrieta somewhat defies that phenomenon — which makes the feat even more impressive.
Though Bumgarner's scoreless run has ended, another streak is still alive.
Monday night marked the Giants' 10th consecutive win in elimination games. They'll shoot for No. 11 on Tuesday in Game 4.
