D-backs’ Madison Bumgarner tosses 5 scoreless innings in win over Cubs

SCOTTSDALE — Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner shut out the Chicago Cubs through five innings in Friday’s 6-0 spring training victory at Salt River Fields.

The only hit Bumgarner allowed was an infield single after third baseman Drew Ellis dove for a ground ball down the line and knocked it down.

The veteran lefty worked hitters with a planned out usage of his pitch mix en route to six strikeouts and his day finished after he struck out the side in the fifth inning. Bumgarner also forced three groundball outs and three popups, as the Cubs struggled to get a barrel on the ball.

“Everything, just making sure that I threw everything that I might throw,” Bumgarner said postgame. “I didn’t want to leave anything out, while trying to get guys out at the same time. I feel good. It’s definitely a different spring (with) a lot faster build-up.”

Friday was also Bumgarner’s longest of three starts during spring training.

Opening Day is on Thursday and manager Torey Lovullo has not yet named a starter. He said he will this weekend. Bumgarner started the last two Opening Day games for the D-backs.

POWER SURGE

Arizona hit Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks hard on Friday, as four D-backs launched home runs in the first four innings.

Center fielder Daulton Varsho roped an opposite-field home run in the third inning, then first baseman Christian Walker and right fielder Pavin Smith went back-to-back with no doubters in the fourth frame.

Walker’s ball hit the third row of cacti on the batter’s eye and Smith’s landed just a few feet in front of Walker’s.

Third baseman Drew Ellis also hit a long ball to left.

Left fielder David Peralta did not leave the yard, but he finished the day with a single, double and a walk. He is having a scorching spring, hitting .391 with four home runs in 23 at-bats.

INJURY UPDATES

Starting pitcher Luke Weaver exited during the fourth inning of his start on Thursday after a blister opened up. Lovullo said he was evaluated and has some open skin on his finger.

Weaver is not expected to miss a start.

“He’s got a tiny wound and we just got to monitor that,” Lovullo said. “The update is that we feel like he’s going to be in a good spot and be able to take the ball the next time.”

Seth Beer was hit in the hand by a pitch on Thursday, but Lovullo said there is no concern that anything is wrong.

“It’s very scary with those wrists and hands, but he was fine,” Lovullo said. “I think it kind of startled him. I think he went through his checkpoints and he felt like everything was okay.”

UP NEXT

The D-backs host the Chicago White Sox at Salt River Fields on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Follow @alexjweiner