Giants' Madison Bumgarner hit hard in spring debut as team falls to A's, 9-4

MESA, Ariz. — World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner was roughed up in his exhibition debut, and Marcus Semien hit a pair of home runs as the Oakland Athletics opened their new spring training home by beating the champion San Francisco Giants 9-4 Tuesday.

Bumgarner gave up four runs in 12/3 innings, allowing Semien's two-run shot in the first. The tall lefty was tagged for five hits and struck out two.

'Right now I'm not worried about results,' Bumgarner said. 'It's about getting my body back in the rhythm of making pitches, and competing.

'You want to get guys out, but it's more about getting my arm in shape.'

Bumgarner led the Giants to the title last October, giving up just one run in 21 innings against Kansas City.

'We all saw the postseason he had,' Semien said. 'We were interested to see how he looked. I was anxious going out there. We were on defense first and that helped.'

Oakland newcomer Ben Zobrist tripled and doubled and Craig Gentry also had two hits for the A's. Billy Butler added a sacrifice fly.

Adam Duvall homered and Casey McGehee also drove in a run for San Francisco.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum also pitched for the Giants, allowing a run and one hit in one inning. He struck out two and threw a pair of wild pitches.

Patrick Venditte, who can pitch with either arm, got two outs for the A's, one against a right-hander and one against a left-hander.

'I'm so used to this,' he said. 'Some days it will be all right-handers and some days it could be all lefties. It's not something I rely on.'

STARTING TIME

Giants: Even though Bumgarner said he wasn't too worried about results, his competitive nature showed. 'They asked me to go out there for a second inning and I was glad to do it, especially after that first inning,' he said. 'I wanted to go right the ship.' . . . Giants manager Bruce Bochy said a younger Bumgarner would have been upset. 'He's matured in that respect,' Bochy said. 'He knows his job is to come in here and get ready for the season.'

Athletics: Brad Mills, a Mesa native, pitched in his hometown stadium for the first time in 12 years and had his parents, wife, kids and best friends in the stands. 'It brought back memories,' Mills said. 'I was talking to some of my high school teammates about it. Having everybody here was the best feeling.'

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: RHP Matt Cain is healthy, though he's not expected to make his Cactus League debut for at least another week. Cain missed most of last season after having bone spurs removed from his elbow and ankle. Bochy said he wants Cain focused on his recovery. . . . RHP Sergio Romo has begun throwing bullpen sessions in his recovery from a sore shoulder.

Athletics: A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker continue to work their way back from Tommy John surgery and both pitchers threw a bullpen session. Parker said he's been working all his pitches, except the slider, into each of his past two bullpen sessions. 'I'm more worried about my delivery and hitting spots,' he said. 'If I go with curve, fastball and change, I'd be happy with it.'

UP NEXT

Giants: RHP Jake Peavy, who was 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 12 starts down the stretch last year for San Francisco, will make his first spring training start for the Giants Wednesday against the A's in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Athletics: RHP Jesse Chavez, who set career highs in starts (21) and innings pitched (146) last year, takes the mound against the Giants Wednesday.