Madison Bumgarner Starts Six-Run 3rd Inning With Double As Giants Decline DH, Beat A’s 12-6

The San Francisco Giants used momentum from a six-run third inning to cruise to a 12-6 victory over the Oakland A’s at O.co Coliseum on Thursday, and an unexpected source spurred the rally: left-hander Madison Bumgarner. 

Madison Bumgarner Starts Six-Run 3rd Inning With Double As Giants Decline DH, Beat A’s 12-6

The Giants became the first team to forgo a designated hitter and hit with a pitcher since the Chicago White Sox in 1976, and Bumgarner didn’t disappoint. The ace smacked a double to center field in his first at-bat to open the third inning. Six consecutive batters reached base to start the inning against Oakland starter Dillon Overton, highlighted by back-to-back homers from Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford. 

“He smoked that ball,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “We needed something to ignite this offense and he did it.”

Bumgarner struggled on the mound, however. He allowed four earned runs for only the second time this season, tying a season high set against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 15. The 26-year-old left-hander allowed four runs on seven hits in  6 1/3 innings, including a two-run homer down the line in right field from first baseman Yonder Alonso in the seventh that put the score at 8-2.

“I was just happy to get a hit,” Bumgarner said. “A lot of people had a lot to say about what we did today, and I’m just glad it worked out for us.”

The A’s had scored 28 runs through the first three games of the series, all of which they won, and have scored six or more in seven consecutive games. Marcus Semien hit his 16th homer of the season in the first, but Bumgarner retired nine of his next 11 batters.

Though many were, A’s manager Bob Melvin wasn’t surprised the Giants chose Bumgarner over a position player, especially since three of the options – Gregor Blanco, Jarrett Parker and Conor Gillaspie – swing from the left side, and the other one is backup catcher Trevor Brown.

“I would love to have someone like that who you can plug into the lineup depending on what the roster looked like, but there’s not too many guys like that,’’ Melvin said, referring to Bumgarner. “He’s got some power and he swings the bat well. He’s a real hitter.’’

Overton took the loss in his second career start, allowing eight runs on eight hits in three-plus innings. The left-hander was optioned back to Triple-A Nashville after the game. Overton also got Detroit’s Mac Williamson to foul tip a pitch into the mitt of catcher Josh Phegley to record his only strikeout of the game.

The Giants will next begin a three-game road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Right-hander Johnny Cueto will start for San Francisco, seeking to rebound from one of his worst outings of 2016. Cueto, who is 11-1 with a 2.42 ERA, allowed six earned runs Sunday against the Phillies and took a no-decision.

The A’s, meanwhile, will host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series beginning Friday night. Right-hander Sonny Gray will take the mound. Gray is on a five-game losing streak and hasn’t won since April 22, although he’s posted a 3.23 ERA over his last five starts since coming off the disabled on list June 5.

OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 30: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at O.co Coliseum on June 30, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)