By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Madison Bumgarner couldn’t remember his pitch mix, or how often he relied on his terrific slider Wednesday night. The World Series hero didn’t put much stock in his impressive spring training that ended with him breaking a bone in his hand in his final tuneup. And he knew he felt better entering his last two starts–both dominating outings–but he surely didn’t know exactly what it was that had him feeling so good.

What Bumgarner did know was bluntly specific: He needed to do his thing on the mound Wednesday, and his club, the Giants, needed to post a win. With those two things hand delivered, little else mattered.

With Bumgarner dealing, followed by Will Smith and Reyes Moronta and their microscopic ERA’s, then followed by Brandon Crawford’s majestic game-winning homer, the Giants looked like a force Wednesday, one far more impressive than their 42-39 record at the season’s halfway point. But they’ll take it, especially with their key guys doing what they envisioned them doing before the season-to-date took its winding course.

Crawford, who delivered the game-winning blast off Rockies’ Harrison Musgrave, explained the importance of his decisive blow.

“We have a day game (Thursday), so everybody wants to go home,” Crawford said. “You’re excited to get around the bases and get to the guys at home plate. Those are the reasons you play baseball.”

In a game that went scoreless until there was one out recorded in the bottom of the ninth inning, you’re not necessarily going to run home impressed. But this tightly contested ballgame showed off the Giants’ star power and provided a clear example of how the veteran-laden club could impact the National League postseason portrait.

Bumgarner and Buster Posey, the HOF battery mates, shut down the Rockies’ lineup, allowing two hits, while striking out eight in seven, scoreless innings. When things got tight in the fifth, after Bumgarner walked consecutive batters to load the bases, he struck out Rockies’ pitcher Kyle Freeland to end the inning. Power guys Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story, as well as table-setters Charlie Blackmon and D.J. LaMahieu were completely shutdown. Blackmon’s sixth inning base hit was the only dent the Colorado quartet managed versus Bumgarner.

The Giants have won 12 of 15 at AT&T Park and moved within 4 1/2 games of division-leading Arizona.