It was arguably one of the greatest all-around performances you will ever see from a starting pitcher. Coming off a 12-strikeout, complete game win against the Houston Astros in his last start, Madison Bumgarner topped that in an even bigger way against the Washington Nationals.
Of course when talking about a starting pitcher, the first thing you talk about is how well he pitched. The Nationals are certainly slumping, with this loss marking their sixth straight. But Washington also holds a lineup with N.L. MVP front-runner Bryce Harper, a scorching hot Ian Desmond, Yunel Escobar and a healthy Anthony Rendon. This is also the same Nationals team that blasted him for six runs in five innings on July 4. Bumgarner took on this lineup and made them look like a Double-A team.
Bumgarner struck out 14 hitters, matching a career-high, while limiting the Nationals to just three hits and a walk. Washington was hitless for the first five innings before Desmond hit a single with one out. Desmond stole second and Bumgarner escaped the situation with two quick outs to end the inning. He would allow a single in the eighth and ninth, but did not get phased by pitching out of the stretch. He needed just 112 pitches in his 14-strikeout, complete-game shutout.
This game seemed especially fitting considering who was in attendance, Giants' legend and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. With a legend in attendance, Bumgarner did something that Marichal can relate to like few pitchers can. Throwing a complete game shutout with 10-plus strikeouts, all while hitting a home run.
Bumgarner, who won the Silver Slugger last season, delivered with the bat once again. After hitting an RBI double in the fifth inning to give San Francisco a 4-0 lead, he came through in the seventh inning with a solo home run. The home run was the fourth he has hit this season and 10th of his career. Bumgarner also hit four home runs last season.
This start was phenomenal and shows just the type of run Bumgarner is on right now. After allowing six earned runs in the second inning to the Texas Rangers on July 31, Bumgarner has allowed just two runs in his past 30 1/3 innings pitched, a 0.60 ERA. In his start against the Astros, Bumgarner struck out seven straight batters as well. It couldn't come at a better time as the Giants are in the midst of a brutal August schedule, facing teams above .500 the entire month.
He will carry a 2.98 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 173/27 K/BBB ratio into his start on Friday. Bumgarner's next start will come on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This season Pittsburgh has had some struggles versus lefties, striking out in over 23 percent of their at-bats versus southpaws. Needless to say, there will be some strikeout opportunities for Bumgarner as he aims for four straight starts with nine-plus strikeouts.