Bruce Bochy provided a reason for removing Madison Bumgarner after what is considered a low pitch count by Bumgarner’s standards.
Wednesday’s game between the San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins is an example of when the box score doesn’t tell the entire story. On the surface, Bumgarner’s six innings pitched with two runs allowed and four strikeouts doesn’t look particularly alarming. However, manager Bruce Bochy noticed early on that it wasn’t going to be one of his star pitcher’s better days on the mound.
Bruce Bochy said he pulled Bumgarner after 81 pitches because “he was gassed from the third inning.” Bumgarner said he knew warming up that it wasn’t likely to be a good day.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) May 30, 2019
Bumgarner wasn’t pitching on short rest. So, it may have just been “one of those days” for the four-time All-Star, who was removed after allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh inning despite having thrown just 81 pitches. It’s worth noting Bumgarner retired the Marlins 1-2-3 in the sixth inning.
Bochy has been around Bumgarner long enough to know when he doesn’t have it on a particular day. He definitely saw something on Wednesday and acted on it while the game was still tied. The Giants ended up losing 4-2, with Bumgarner taking the loss.
