VIDEO: 'It wasn't my idea,' Bumgarner tells Goldschmidt after intentional walk
San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner wanted to pitch to Arizona Diamondbacks - and America's - first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the eighth inning Friday night.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy had other plans, though, ordering an intentional walk of the slugger. And Bumgarner made sure to let Goldschmidt know that.
The Giants fell 2-0 in the first of three against Arizona, and San Francisco's playoff aspirations are all but over. The Giants are 8 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, and nine games back in the wild-card race.
Bumgarner was dominant, as usual, allowing only five hits in eight innings, striking out seven and allowing only an earned run. He took the loss, though, his eighth of the season.
Madison Bumgarner has 3 losses this season in starts of at least 8 IP and 2 ER or fewer, most in MLB.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 19, 2015
Bumgarner threw 117 pitches, 72 for strikes, and his ERA sits at 2.84 on the season. He was frustrated after the game.
"We can't afford any losses," he said.