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Associated Press 9y

Bumgarner pitches 5-hitter, overpowers Astros as Giants win

MLB, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals

SAN FRANCISCO -- Madison Bumgarner pitched a five-hitter with 12 strikeouts, Brandon Belt broke up a pitcher's duel with two solo homers, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Belt's homers, in the fourth and sixth innings, gave him 17 this season to match his career high also done in 2013. It was his third career multihomer game and second this year for the defending champion Giants, who bounced back at home after being swept by the Cubs in four games over the weekend at Wrigley Field.

Bumgarner (13-6) outpitched fellow southpaw Scott Kazmir (6-7) in an anticipated interleague matchup of top lefties for the World Series MVP's eighth career complete game and second this season. He didn't walk a batter in the 105-pitch gem.

Kazmir, who had allowed only one earned run for a 0.44 ERA in three starts since joining his hometown Astros in a July 23 trade from Oakland, committed two throwing errors while losing his second straight start.

Bumgarner posted his 23rd career double-digit strikeout game and fourth this season. He surrendered a triple to Evan Gattis in the seventh on a ball center fielder Gregor Blanco had in his glove but dropped after crashing into the wall. Chris Carter drove home Gattis with a single two batters later to put the Astros on the board.

Bumgarner won for the fifth time in six starts. The seven straight strikeouts matched the San Francisco-era record also done by Jonathan Sanchez on Aug. 3, 2010, at Colorado, and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal on Sept. 6, 1964, at Philadelphia.

Kazmir again lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs and seven hits, struck out three and walked two.

Giants left fielder Nori Aoki, who left Sunday's game in Chicago after he was hit by a pitch in the third inning, was given one more day as a precaution. He's expected to start Wednesday afternoon in the series finale against the Astros.

SPECIAL VISIT

Astros manager A.J. Hinch had the rare day off Monday in his adopted hometown of Stanford after playing in Oakland. He visited his alma mater and watched the Cardinal's opening football practice on campus.

"I love the Bay Area," he said. "I consider this place like a second home."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: RF George Springer will have his fractured right wrist re-evaluated by a doctor once the team returns home to determine when he can begin strengthening and other rehab work. He was hit with a fastball by Edinson Volquez on July 1 at Minute Maid Park. "We're all anxiously waiting," Hinch said. "I'm hopeful the next appointment will tell us we can progress in baseball activities."

Giants: CF Angel Pagan went on the 15-day DL with patella tendinitis in his right knee. ... RHP Tim Lincecum (bruised right forearm) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session he considered on par with a regular "in-between-start bullpen." He remains optimistic he will pitch again this year. ... RHP Tim Hudson threw a bullpen to test his strained throwing shoulder, and the Giants will discuss their next move with him as he was eligible to be activated Tuesday. ... Backup C Andrew Susac was relegated to a DH role in his rehab assignment for Class-A San Jose following a root canal Monday.

UP NEXT

Astros: RHP Scott Feldman tries again for his first career victory versus the Giants after starting 0-4 in five appearances and three starts, including 0-3 at AT&T Park.

Giants: Rookie RHP Chris Heston, knocked out of his last two starts without reaching five innings, looks for another fine start against the Astros after he tossed his first career complete game at Houston on May 12.

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