Madison Bumgarner Throws a No-Hitter. Kind Of.

For Bumgarner, who starred in three World Series for the San Francisco Giants in the 2010s, it was easily the best start in his two seasons with the Diamondbacks, who signed him to a five-year, $85 million contract in December 2019. He had been 2-6 with a 7.16 earned run average in 13 Arizona starts, none lasting even six innings.

Against the Braves — who managed just one hit off Zac Gallen in the first game of the doubleheader — Bumgarner was dazzling. He faced the minimum 21 hitters, striking out seven and allowing only one base runner, Ozzie Albies, who reached in the second on a throwing error by shortstop Nick Ahmed and was promptly erased on a double play.

“He basically was perfect for seven complete innings,” Arizona Manager Torey Lovullo said. “So it’s a no-hitter for me, and it will be forever. I don’t know what the rule book’s going to say and I don’t know if Major League Baseball’s going to recognize it. But for what’s going on in that room right now, for the special feeling that Madison gave us today — it was a no-hitter.”

Bumgarner, 31, has thrown four one-hitters, including three that were no-hitters through seven innings. He said on Sunday that he probably could have completed it this time.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/25/sports/baseball/madison-bumgarner-no-hitter.html