Madison Bumgarner is on the bump tonight for the Giants’ first in a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at AT&T Park. The last time Bumgarner pitched against the Phillies was April 17, 2012, also at AT&T Park. Joe Blanton started for the Phillies. The Giants won that game, 4-2, thanks to a strong outing by Bumgarner, some nice situational hitting by the Giants, and three shutout innings from the Giants bullpen. Bumgarner pitched six innings total, giving up two runs on seven hits and one walk and striking out two.

The surprise of the night came from Buster Posey. Remember, it was Posey’s first season back after sitting out most of 2011 with a reconstructed left leg. If there was concern about how Posey would perform on his return, this game went a long way in alleviating it. Posey went 3-for-4  at the plate. More encouraging, however, was when he put his leg to the test before 42,000+ by stealing third base in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Yep, Buster Posey stole third base.

The throw from Philly catcher Carlos Ruiz beat the none-too-fast Posey by a country mile, but thanks to a headfirst slide by Posey and a high tag by Philly third baseman Placido Polanco, Posey’s left hand touched the bag before Polanco’s glove brushed Posey’s shoulder. The stolen base would set up the Giants’ final run of the game as Posey scored on a ground ball to Blanton by Brandon Crawford.

“It kind of surprised all of us,” Bruce Bochy later said of Posey’s steal. “He knows if they forget about him at second base he has the green light to go. I think he thought he was moving faster than he was and made a nice slide to avoid the tag.”

Even if you’re not Superman, it helps to feel like Superman.

Tonight, Cliff Lee toes the rubber for the Phillies. Last Wednesday, Lee went six innings against the Cleveland Indians, giving up five runs on nine hits and two walks and striking out four. The Indians won that game, 6-0.