Bumgarner effective in return to hill

Madison Bumgarner is getting an advanced degree in pitching.

While yielding two runs on eight hits over six innings in Fresno's 9-2 win over Portland on Tuesday, the 20-year-old was learning to win without his best stuff.

"To tell you the truth, it was a tough day," Bumgarner said. "I felt a little off because of the extra days off."

Bumgarner got the enforced extra rest after being suspended three games for a tirade against an umpire in his June 7 start against Sacramento. The ensuing punishment not only hurt his pride, but his pitching arsenal as well.

"It just didn't feel like the stuff was there like it was before," he added. "We just had to fight through and mix up pitches. The offspeed stuff was decent, but I was falling behind a lot early in the game."

But Bumgarner was eager to show remorse when he returned to the mound. And as a result, he won his seventh straight decision.

"I talked with the coaches," he said. "That was uncalled for by me. It was just one of those times when you just lose control and there wasn't really a reason. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. I just have to deal with it.

"I don't need to be out there trying to say stuff," Bumgarner added. "I guess I kind of took it too far and said one too many things. There were a couple of calls that could have gone either way and I let it get in my head. The runs that came after had a lot to do with how I handled the calls."

Now he's continuing with more traditional pitching lessons, such as working on his new favorite pitch: the cutter. Bumgarner had never utilized the pitch before this season, but now counts it among his most indispensable weapons.

"That's probably my best offpseed pitch," he said. "I would consider that my out pitch. I always think the fastball is the best pitch, but after that, the cutter is right up there with it."

Bumgarner is 7-1 with a 3.12 ERA and, besides his meltdown against Sacramento, the southpaw hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start since April 14.

Not only did he pitch well enough to win Tuesday, but he picked up an RBI with a fourth-inning single. He later crossed the plate in the four-run frame.

"I love hitting as much as anything," Bumgarner said. "I don't get to do it a whole lot here, but I enjoy it."

Bumgarner is hitting .385 with a home run and three RBIs in 13 at-bats.

The Giants recently put starter Todd Wellemeyer on the 15-day disabled list, which ignited speculation that Bumgarner could get promoted. While he did have a 1.80 ERA in four appearances with San Francisco last year, Bumgarner is learning another valuable lesson -- focus on the challenge at hand.

"It's hard to stay focused, especially when you're so close to the next level," he said. "I've been trying hard to do that and not let any of that stuff get into my head because obviously I have no control over it.

"I'd love to get the chance, but I'm taking it one day at a time, which is easier said than done."