Madison Bumgarner hits two home runs on Opening Day (Video)
By Chad Kutzke
Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner proved yet again why he’s the best hitting pitcher in MLB with a pair of home runs on Opening Day.
In the 5th inning of the Giants opening day game, Madison Bumgarner homered off Zack Greinke to give San Francisco a 2-0 lead. Bumgarner is the current active leader for home runs by a pitcher with 16 long balls. The last pitcher to hit two home runs in the same game was Mets ace Noah Syndergaard.
Check out the first dinger Bumgarner his in the top of the fifth inning to extend the Giants lead over Zach Greinke and the Diamondbacks.
MadBum with the BIG FLY on #OpeningDay.#WeAreSF pic.twitter.com/xjaCVoZsUB
— Stadium (@Stadium) April 2, 2017
Not only was Bumgarner getting it done at the dish, Mad Bum had a perfect game through five innings. However, Bumgarner lost his perfect game in the 6th inning, giving up three runs and allowing to the Diamondbacks to tie the game. Well, one was not enough for Bumgarner as he launched a second home run in the top of the 7th to give the Giants a 4-3 lead.
Again? YES.
— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2017
Madison Bumgarner is stupid good. #PitchersWhoRake pic.twitter.com/eziFsbyHTe
These weren’t weak home runs either as his dingers boasted a high exit velocity as he now sports the two fastest exit velocities on Giants home runs since 2015. Pretty incredible achievement considering the hitter on the Giants over that span.
Tonight, Madison Bumgarner has had the 2 fastest exit velocity on SF home runs since 2015 #pitcherswhorake
— Baseball Statistics (@SportBracketsss) April 2, 2017
On a day of incredible achievements by Bumgarner, the two home runs he hit make him the first pitcher to hit two home runs on Opening Day, according to ESPN Stats & Info. It’s also pretty crazy to consider he is leading the Major Leagues in home runs as a pitcher. Sure, it’s Opening Day and that’ll change in a hurry, but it’s a testament to his ability as a hitter to change games just as he does on the mound.
Madison Bumgarner: 1st pitcher to hit 2 HR on Opening Day.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 2, 2017
The talk about Bumgarner participating in the Home Run Derby should heat up once again as the pitcher continues to show his prowess at the plate. Will manager Bruce Bochy or commissioner Rob Manfred allow Bumgarner to ever compete in a derby?
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Bumgarner hopes to try and lead the Giants on another postseason run after failing to bring home the World Serious in the Giants’ infamous “even year”.