Defenders-Fisher Cats: Madison Bumgarner Lowers ERA, Wins Second AA Start

At the end of a game suspended by fog in the first inning Saturday, Madison Bumgarner took the mound for Connecticut Sunday and showed that his first start at the AA level was not a fluke.

Tim Alderson, the original starter on Saturday, pitched a scoreless first before the suspension of play.

After allowing a lead-off double in the second, it appeared as if Bumgarner would be in for another start of battling hitters with men on base.

However, there was little drama this time, as Madison gave up no hits over the next six innings.

Bumgarner notched only two strikeouts in his last start, but Sunday his dominance was never in doubt.

Nine strikeouts helped him cruise. In four of his six innings, Bumgarner faced only three batters.

He surrendered two out of his three total walks in the fifth, but a pick-off and two strikeouts ensured neither runner would advance to second base.

Bumgarner no doubt felt some pressure, exiting the game with just a 1-0 lead.

Fellow 2007 draftee closer Joe Paterson came in for a two-inning save. Paterson pitched two scoreless innings and maintained his 0.00 ERA through 13 appearances, ensuring that Bumgarner received the win.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford, who went one for four with two strikeouts, has now struck out twice in each of his last four games.

Although Crawford is hitting .467 with the bases empty, he is two for 18 with runners on base and hitting .091 with runners in scoring position.

Crawford has only one walk and 11 strikeouts in eight games since his call-up. He has 13 total bases and one RBI, with three extra-base hits.

At single-A San Jose, Crawford's batting average was nearly 100 points higher (.371 vs. .273). He also tallied six home runs and 17 RBI in 25 games at San Jose.