Bumgarner rebounds to fan career-best 11

JustinVerlander35 · Jun 27, 2011

It wasn't a premonition. It was a conviction.

The Giants knew that Madison Bumgarner would excel Sunday, long before their Interleague contest against the Indians even began.

"When I got here, I knew he was going to do well," said third baseman Pablo Sandoval.

"I'll go back as far as his last outing," said manager Bruce Bochy. "I knew this kid would bounce back. There was no doubt in my mind."

Dominance replaced doubt, as Bumgarner recovered from a historically dreadful performance to strike out a career-high 11 batters in seven innings and lead the Giants to a 3-1 victory -- completing their three-game series sweep.

The Giants, who lead the National League West by 1 1/2 games over the D-backs, matched a season-best by climbing 10 games above .500 (44-34). They finished their homestand by winning five games in a row, despite averaging exactly three runs per game in that stretch. But that's complemented by the 0.83 ERA that San Francisco's renowned pitchers put together during the winning streak.

Bumgarner (4-9), who allowed one run and six hits, looked nothing like he did on Tuesday, when he surrendered hits to the first eight Twins that stepped in the box. The left-hander ultimately yielded eight runs in one-third of an inning and became the first pitcher since 1900 to allow nine hits and record fewer than two outs in a game.

This time, Bumgarner held Cleveland hitless in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position. As if for emphasis, he concluded his final five innings with strikeouts. Filling in for closer Brian Wilson, who pitched in each of the previous four games, Jeremy Affeldt struck out five of the six batters he faced, hiking the Giants' total to 16.

Part of that was due to the game's 5:10 p.m. PT start, creating a treacherous mosaic of light and shadow for hitters. But part of it could undeniably be attributed to Bumgarner's motivation and skill.

Was he trying to make a point?

"No," Bumgarner said. "I was just trying to make pitches."

The southpaw acknowledged that his performance against the Twins dented his self-assurance, which every pitcher needs.

"I'm not going to say there wasn't any doubt. There was a little doubt," Bumgarner said. "It's tough to forget about a start like that. I tried to put it behind me as best I could."

Bumgarner accomplished that while requiring just one mild mechanical adjustment. He stared on the catcher's target throughout his motion, instead of looking away from Chris Stewart's glove and refocusing on it before releasing the ball.

"I think that's the reason my command was better," said Bumgarner, who threw 78 strikes in 112 pitches.

Bumgarner also benefited from the Giants' steadfast support, which emanated from Bochy's office and permeated the entire clubhouse.
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3RA1N1AC · Jun 27, 2011

nice bounceback game

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Bumgarner rebounds to fan career-best 11

JustinVerlander35 Bringin' the Heat

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Bumgarner rebounds to fan career-best 11

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