Bumgarner dominates Phillies
SAN FRANCISCO – When Madison Bumgarner walked off the mound at Oracle Park after the top of the seventh inning on July 23, many Giants fans wondered if it was the last time they’d see him pitch on the shores of Mccovey Cove.
With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, Bumgarner returned home to face the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
Another dominant outing from the team’s ace reminded fans why they hope he never leaves.
Bumgarner tossed seven innings of one-hit ball and played a leading role in ending the Giants’ four-game losing streak in the team’s 5-0 win over the Phillies.
Right fielder Mike Yastrzemski served as the catalyst for the Giants’ offense on Thursday, lining a two-run double off the left field wall in the third before launching a 403-foot home run above the brick wall in right center field in the seventh.
Expected to be one of the top starting pitchers available on the trade market this summer, Bumgarner instead remained with the only franchise he’s ever known. The Giants (57-59) entertained conversations involving Bumgarner toward the end of July, but the team’s ascension in the National League Wild Card standings helped convince the front office to keep him in orange and black.
“This is an extremely special place to me,” Bumgarner said. “I appreciate everything that these fans have done for me and for this team and this is an awesome place to play.”
Despite drawing interest from contending clubs in the hours leading up to the July 31 deadline, Bumgarner said he never envisioned pitching elsewhere. It’s not hard to see why he enjoys himself in San Francisco, considering no pitcher has ever posted better career numbers inside the ballpark at China Basin.