Bumgarner pirouettes his way to 12 strikeouts in win over Cubs

Madison Bumgarner has proven he can pitch and hit the long ball, but on Thursday he showcased his defensive chops against the Chicago Cubs, while tying a career high in strikeouts with another amazing performance.

In the top of the third inning, Bumgarner helped out Brandon Belt with a twirling defensive glove play after the first baseman threw behind the pitcher, who was covering the bag, to get base runner Kyle Schwarber.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

"That was one of the better plays we've had all year," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. "That was a difficult play. When you're going full bore ... (to) not only catch the ball but to have the wherewithal to know where the base is. That shows you how athletic the guy is."

Bumgarner tied his career high with his sixth 10+ strikeout game of the season, fanning 12 Cubs across six innings of work in the Giants' 9-1 win.

The Giants ace sits third in the NL behind Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer with 192 strikeouts.