D-backs’ Madison Bumgarner exits season debut after 42-pitch 3rd inning

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner opened his 2022 season about as well as possible before a 42-pitch third inning derailed his outing on Thursday.

He started with two efficient, scoreless innings and allowed one hit while tossing 26 pitches. His fastball sat at 92-93 miles per hour, more comparable to his San Francisco Giants days than his average of 90.4 miles per hour last season.

Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim disrupted the rhythm with an 11-pitch walk to start the third.

Bumgarner’s command continued to slip, giving a free pass to three more batters and walking in a run. The 32-year-old limited the damage, though, and stranded the bases loaded by striking out right fielder Wil Myers looking on the outside corner.

With a shortened spring training, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo felt 68 pitches was enough. He told reporters pregame that Arizona’s starting pitchers would throw around 80 pitches at first as they continue to ramp up.

Luke Weaver came into the game in the fourth frame, capping Bumgarner’s line at three innings, one earned run, one hit, two punch outs and four walks.

The sole hit he surrendered was a double by first baseman Eric Hosmer, whom Bumgarner left on base after striking out left fielder Jurickson Profar to end the second inning.

Thursday was Bumgarner’s third straight Opening Day start for the D-backs. He tossed 5.2 innings of three-run ball in 2020 and allowed six earned runs in four frames last season.

All three outings were against the Padres.

The D-backs defeated San Diego 4-2 on Thursday after designated Hitter Seth Beer hit a walk-off three-run home run.

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