Bumgarner pitches Giants past Athletics in Bay Bridge Series

Madison Bumgarner struck out nine over seven innings and outdueled fellow left-hander Brett Anderson, pitching the San Francisco Giants past the Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Tuesday night despite a late threat.

Evan Longoria and Kevin Pillar each hit RBI doubles during a string of three straight two-out doubles by the Giants in the sixth against Anderson (10-8).

Bumgarner (8-7), 4-0 over his previous nine starts with the Giants going 8-1, allowed two hits and didn't walk a batter for the sixth time this year. He also laid down a sacrifice bunt in the seventh that led to pinch-hitter Scooter Gennett's sacrifice fly and a key insurance run.

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy, left, blows a bubble while watching from the dugout with pitcher Madison Bumgarner during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

Stephen Piscotty homered in the fifth, but otherwise Bumgarner shut down the powerful A's lineup. Oakland faced a lefty starter for the fourth time in six games after doing so just once the previous 18.

Marcus Semien got a strange single to start the game when first baseman Aramis Garcia ran over the right-field line into foul territory then back fair as the ball dropped out of his reach.

Bumgarner then retired the next 13 Oakland batters in order, including eight of 11 on strikeouts before Piscotty connected for his 12th homer on a drive to left with two outs in the fifth.

Oakland Athletics pitcher Brett Anderson throws to a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

Will Smith allowed Dustin Garneau's leadoff single in the ninth, a pinch-hit single to Khris Davis, then struck out Marcus Semien before Matt Chapman's single loaded the bases for Matt Olson. Chapman had moments earlier just missed a home run to left, foul by inches.

Chapman struck out and Mark Canha walked to bring home a run, then Chad Pinder struck out as Smith escaped with his 29th save in 32 chances.

Anderson struck out four and didn't have a walk in six innings, giving up two runs on six hits. He was trying to win consecutive starts for the first time since May 20 and 26 against Cleveland and Seattle. He dropped to 2-5 in 11 career starts against the Giants, 1-5 in San Francisco, and 6-3 in 13 road starts.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws to an Oakland Athletics batter during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

HE BELIEVES IN STEPHEN VOGT

A's manager Bob Melvin still keeps in regular touch via text message with now-Giants catcher Stephen Vogt, who made a remarkable comeback from significant right shoulder surgery last year with Milwaukee. The 34-year-old Vogt played for Oakland from 2013 through part of '17, when the A's designated the fan favorite for assignment in June that year. Vogt was so likable he drew chants of "I believe in Stephen Vogt!"

Not in the lineup, Vogt exchanged handshakes and hugs with many of his old teammates as the A's took the field for pregame warmups.

Oakland Athletics left fielder Robbie Grossman cannot catch an RBI double hit by San Francisco Giants' Kevin Pillar during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

"I'm a big Stephen Vogt fan. I hope he takes a couple days off here," Melvin said. "It's pretty remarkable if you actually know what he came back from because he had a shoulder issue that looked like he might not play again. And to work as hard as he did to get back and now he's playing and swinging the bat as well as he has, it's impressive to watch. If you know him, you know he worked about as hard as you possibly could to get back to this and I know he feels good about where he's at. So hat's off to him."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea struck out 10 over 5 2/3 innings for the victory with Triple-A Las Vegas in a win at Omaha earlier Tuesday. He allowed one run on four hits with two walks. Manaea, who also experienced some soreness in his right side during a June simulated game, is closer to returning for the first time since having shoulder surgery last September. "This is by far his best outing since he's been on rehab and coming off the side thing it was good to see," Melvin said. "I think he was in the 80s with his pitch count and we'll probably discuss where we go next with that. Very encouraging outing for him." ... C Josh Phegley (bruised left thumb) was hit by a pitch in the upper part of his left shoulder while rehabbing Monday with Las Vegas and was set to rejoin the A's to be examined. Melvin is hopeful it will only hinder him for a couple of days. ... CF Ramon Laureano, on the injured list with a stress reaction in his right shin, is doing everything but running as he progresses in his rehab.

San Francisco Giants' Kevin Pillar bats against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

Giants: 3B Pablo Sandoval is dealing with right elbow inflammation and loose bodies in the elbow and missed his third straight game. "He's doing better today. He's made progress. He's able to hit," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Right-handed, after he hits it seems to bother him more. Throwing is where it's flaring up on him." ... LF Alex Dickerson (right oblique strain) was designated hitter in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday and could be back with the Giants as soon as Wednesday, or early in the next series beginning Thursday at Arizona. "I'm not saying we're going to activate him but we'll at least evaluate him," Bochy said.

UP NEXT

RHP Homer Bailey (9-8, 5.54 ERA) takes the mound for the A's opposite RHP Tyler Beede (3-6, 5.61) as the clubs conclude this quick two-game series before meeting in the second installment of the Bay Bridge Series from Aug. 24-25 in Oakland.

San Francisco Giants' Evan Longoria throws out Oakland Athletics' Matt Olson at first base during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

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Oakland Athletics' Stephen Piscotty, right, is congratulated by Robbie Grossman after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics' Robbie Grossman, right, reacts after striking out, next to San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants' Kevin Pillar hits a double to score Evan Longoria against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) hits a double in front of Oakland Athletics catcher Dustin Garneau during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants' Evan Longoria (10) is congratulated by Austin Slater after scoring against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have signed linebacker and special-teams standout Grant Stuard in their latest move to overhaul a unit that struggled badly last season.

The Rams formalized their two-year deal Monday with Stuard, who served as a captain of the Detroit Lions last season.

Stuard was the final pick in the 2021 draft by Tampa Bay after a college career at the University of Houston. He spent one year with the Buccaneers and three more with Indianapolis before joining the Lions.

Stuard has only played significant snaps on defense during one of his five NFL seasons, but he has been an ace on special teams since entering the league. He played 79% of the Lions' special teams snaps last season and even returned three kickoffs.

The Rams are overhauling their entire special teams operation after a season full of struggles that badly hampered an otherwise strong season, which ended in the NFC championship game. Sean McVay even fired coordinator Chase Blackburn last December in the first significant in-season staff change of his career.

Los Angeles' new special teams coordinator is Bubba Ventrone, who coached Stuard with the Colts in 2022 before going on to a successful three-year stint with Cleveland.

The Rams also signed veteran long snapper Joe Cardona last week, bringing the two-time Super Bowl champion back to his native Southern California after a decade in New England followed by one season with Miami.

Los Angeles' special teams problems late in the season were largely centered around missed blocking assignments and missed tackles, along with a disastrous muffed punt by Xavier Smith in the NFC title game in Seattle.

That's why the Rams are keeping promising kicker Harrison Mevis, who missed only one of his 67 combined attempts on field goals and extra points after replacing Joshua Karty at midseason. Punter Ethan Evans is also expected to return.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

FILE - Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr,File)