Giants Duffy & Span-less as Bumgarner Looks to Extend Streak

As Madison Bumgarner toes the slab against Jeff Locke of the Pittsburgh Pirates to try and lead the San Francisco Giants to the first nine-game winning streak in baseball, the orange and black will be missing Matt Duffy and Denard Span during the first game of a four-game series in the Steel City.

Duffy and Span have been two of the most durable assets for San Francisco this season, having played 70 and 66 games this season, respectively.

With Hunter Pence sidelined, the Duffman has taken the reigns as San Francisco's Iron Man, as he has played in 188 consecutive games and is the active leader in consecutive games played coming into tonight's game. Duffy will receive an MRI on his Achilles and will not be available off the bench.

Span, who struck out three times with a sacrifice bunt yesterday and bat 1 for 14 in the Tampa Bay series, had neck pain during the game and will get a much needed day of rest to recover before the Giants play on consecutive days until July 7th.

Ramiro Pena will bat sixth and start in place of Duffy and Gregor Blanco will bat ninth and start in place of Span.

Bruce Bochy will throw five left-handers and two switch hitters against the lefty Locke, and is going with the usual strategy of having Bumgarner bat in the 8th place spot in the lineup.

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Just like the Giants and the Pirates have been playing at two different levels as of late, lefties Bumgarner and Locke have been pitching at two different levels.

In Bumgarner's last start, he threw a beauty, only allowing two runs over eight innings while striking out eight, and the Giants have won 10 consecutive games in which Mad Bum has started, while in Locke's last start, he allowed seven runs in four innings, and the Pirates are scuffling.

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San Francisco's lineup for tonight's game will go as such:

1. Angel Pagan, Left Field 2. Joe Panik, Second Base 3. Brandon Belt, First Base 4. Buster Posey, Catcher 5. Brandon Crawford, Shortstop 6. Ramiro Pena, Third Base 7. Jarrett Parker, Right Field 8. Madison Bumgarner, Pitcher 9. Gregor Blanco, Center Field

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