MadBum keeps rolling, Diamondbacks beat Marlins 11-3

PHOENIX (AP) — Madison Bumgarner threw seven shutout innings, Asdrúbal Cabrera had four hits including a three-run homer, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Miami Marlins 11-3 on Tuesday night.

The 31-year-old Bumgarner (4-2) is starting to become the pitcher the Diamondbacks envisioned when they signed the four-time All-Star to an $85 million, five-year deal prior to the 2020 season.

“He’s on an unbelievable run,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “And he deserves it.”

Against the Marlins, Bumgarner was completely in control, giving up only four hits that all came in different innings. He needed just 84 pitches to get through his outing and even added a sacrifice fly at the plate for his first RBI of the season.

Bumgarner pitched seven hitless innings for a complete game that doesn't count as a no-hitter in the finale of a doubleheader against Atlanta on April 25 and is in the midst of a terrific five-game stretch that includes just three earned runs allowed over 30 innings.

“There’s a lot more conviction in my pitches,” Bumgarner said.

MadBum's about-face has been a welcome change after a terrible 2020. The left-hander slogged through his worst season, finishing 1-4 with a 6.48 ERA. Even more alarming, his fastball rarely broke 90 mph and it was fair to wonder if the Diamondbacks had a made a huge mistake giving him a big contract.

Bumgarner said he changed a few things five starts ago in Washington but didn't want to talk about them because he didn't want to “throw anybody under the bus.” He said he went back to a familiar approach that's helped his results.

These days, it appears he has plenty left in the tank. His fastball was routinely in the 92-93 mph range against the Marlins and he struck out a season-high nine.

“I feel confident throwing the ball to...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/MadBum-keeps-rolling-Diamondbacks-beat-Marlins-16170393.php