Nationals respond to D-backs LHP Madison Bumgarner’s ‘clown’ comment

PHOENIX — Washington Nationals outfielder Victor Robles admired his eighth-inning solo shot against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner a bit too long for the southpaw’s liking Saturday night.

Robles held his follow through as he backed up and watched the ball sail over the wall in left field, a moment with little consequence during a 7-2 win for Arizona.

Bumgarner, though, called Robles a “clown” for celebrating.

“It’s 7-1, you hit your third home run of the year, you act like Barry Bonds breaking the record,” Bumgarner told reporters postgame.

“Clean it up. I don’t care about giving up the run. Hell, we won 7-2. That’s frustrating. I’m the old grumpy guy, I know, but that type of stuff didn’t used to happen. Now, that’s ridiculous.”

“That guy is a clown.”

Madison Bumgarner didn’t appreciate Victor Robles admiring his home run while down big in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/wf0jMyUjcl

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) July 24, 2022

This was not the first time Bumgarner took exception to another player taking in their home run.

Famously, he and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy exchanged words after the latter watched his long ball soar into McCovey Cove in San Francisco when Bumgarner was on the Giants in 2019.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez addressed the situation Sunday morning, saying he did not believe Robles deserved to be called names.

“We know that Bum does get frustrated when guys hit home runs off him, if he deems they didn’t run right away,” Martinez told reporters. “But you know what? I’ve seen way, way worse.”

Victor Robles stole all the bases with this blast 💥 pic.twitter.com/omkZM68OzX

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 24, 2022

The outfielder continued to poke fun at Bumgarner during Sunday’s game, wearing a red clown nose in the dugout at Chase Field.

Madison Bumgarner called Víctor Robles a clown for pimping a home run yesterday.

Robles unveiled a new look today pic.twitter.com/EJELctY5hr

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 24, 2022

Robles told the media via an interpreter that Bumgarner should keep striking out people and he won’t have to worry about batters watching their home runs.

Bumgarner did plenty of that with nine punch outs Saturday night, and the D-backs play for a sweep Sunday.

Catch the game on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. 

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