SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Madison Bumgarner wants another even-year World Series championship. That’s what drives him, not the milestones and accolades he piles up along the way.
Bumgarner lined a key two-run double in the sixth and emphatically pumped his arms while yelling in celebration at second base, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-3 on Friday night to maintain their slim lead for the second NL wild card.
Brandon Belt added a three-run homer in the seven-run inning and Bumgarner (15-9) beat the Dodgers for the first time in seven starts since May 21, 2015. It was win No. 100 of his career.
“That’s a special thing getting the opportunity to do that,” he said. “There’s a lot more at stake.”
The Mets stayed one game ahead of the Giants for the top wild card, while San Francisco remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot.
Angel Pagan might have made the play of the night - without his glove or bat. He body-slammed a male fan in the left field grass during the fourth inning after he ran onto the field offering white paper flowers. Pagan realized he had to do something to slow the man down, unsure whether there was any motive to harm a player.
“I was just trying to protect myself and protect my teammates. The guy was getting closed to my teammates,” Pagan said. “I guess it was very explosive. Us athletes, we’ve got that kind of strength. …It worked.”
Buster Posey earlier shoved the man to the ground. Pagan, who held the man down until security reached him, received a roaring ovation from the sellout crowd when the half-inning ended and tipped his cap.
“That’s just weird. Any time somebody comes on the field you’re a little bit uneasy,” Posey said. “He probably should’ve been charged with a flop.”
Once Rich Hill left the game, San Francisco pounced against Brandon McCarthy (2-3).
Pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie started things in the sixth with a go-ahead two-run double, and pinch-hitter Denard Span’s RBI single chased McCarthy before he retired a batter. He had a walk followed by five straight hits.
“They just hit everything I threw,” McCarthy said. “I’m angry but other than that it was so fast and so violent that I don’t really know what kind of emotions to take from it.”
Bumgarner stopped a four-start winless stretch, allowing three runs and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings. He had been 0-4 in his previous six starts against Los Angeles, 0-2 this season.
Kike Hernandez hit a go-ahead single off Bumgarner in the sixth, but the Giants answered big with the bats.
Hill allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. He pitched for the first time since Sept. 20 also against the Giants after the Dodgers skipped his last turn as a precaution because he has dealt with blisters on his pitching hand this season.
Manager Dave Roberts planned to monitor Hill and keep his outing short given he will draw Game 2 of the NL Division Series next week.
Yasiel Puig’s RBI double to left in the first scored Corey Seager, who made a headfirst slide into home to narrowly beat Pagan’s throw. Carlos Ruiz followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
The Giants got it right back in the bottom half, on Posey’s RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Pagan.
“We’re on a mission right now,” Pagan said. “We already started the playoffs right here.”
Bumgarner and Puig got into it on Sept. 19 at Dodger Stadium, causing both benches to clear. Puig was booed during pregame introductions, though neither manager expected any further issue.
The Giants are 14-4 at home against the Dodgers since the start of the 2015 season.
WILLIE MAC AWARD
Brandon Crawford and Javier Lopez shared the honor named for Hall of Famer Willie McCovey. They were presented the award in an on-field ceremony before the game for being most inspirational on the field and in the clubhouse as chosen by players, coaches and training staff.
“It’s a huge honor for me winning this award, especially growing up a Giants fan,” Crawford said.
The Dodgers politely watched from their dugout.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: Roberts said the Dodgers are considering four starters for the NLDS, giving themselves insurance if Clayton Kershaw or Hill were to have any health issues. “It’s a possibility,” Roberts said. “A lot depends on Game 1 and how it plays out. It doesn’t make any sense to forecast what we’re going to do.”
Giants: INF Eduardo Nunez, nursing a right hamstring strain, missed his fourth straight game and won’t play Saturday. Sunday seems unlikely as well but manager Bruce Bochy is “hopeful” he could be ready for a wild-card game. Nunez was scheduled to play easy catch, swing off the tee and try to do some light running on a treadmill.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Kershaw (12-3, 1.65 ERA) is 1-1 with a 0.86 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list Sept. 9. He is 18-7 with a 1.58 ERA in 34 career starts against the Giants.
Giants: LHP Ty Blach was named Saturday’s starter postgame.
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