Giants' Madison Bumgarner shines in 9-1 win against Cubs

SAN FRANCISCO — Historically, October has been documented as Madison Bumgarner's best month, but August definitely has to be in the running.

Bumgarner completed the month Thursday with six innings of two-hit, 12-strikeout, one-run ball in the Giants' 9-1 win over the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park. But the cumulative totals for August were even more smashing: 5-0 record, 1.43 ERA, four walks, 53 strikeouts. For good measure, he hit a couple home runs and didn't allow one.

It didn't hurt that Bumgarner received 29 runs of support in his five starts, and on this day, it was a case of overkill. He not only received a three-run homer from Marlon Byrd in a four-run third inning, but rookie Kelby Tomlinson provided some extra-tasty pastry with his first major league homer — an eighth-inning grand slam.

Bumgarner (16-6) sees no special significance to his August ledger other than he's hit a good groove on the mound at a good time, and on the days he pitches, the Giants' offense seem to join in with his positive vibe.

'I'm just going out there and competing,' he said. 'Things have happened to go our way this month. That's really it. I don't look at it as a month thing. I just go start to start. But we've had the ball bounce our way, and a lot of good things have happened.'

Things have gone so gloriously, Bumgarner even made a play at first base in this victory that defied probability. He soared to take a high throw from Brandon Belt while covering first, spun in midair and somehow came down with his foot on the bag for the out. He looked like a ballerina or an ice skater the way he stuck the landing.

'Obviously you have an idea, but that was a tough one,' he said, chuckling. 'I just put my foot where I thought (the base) was, and I happened to be right that time. It's not usually going to work that way, but I'm glad it did today.'

Manager Bruce Bochy has seen Bumgarner pitch so many gems that it's hard for him to be overawed by what he's done on the mound in August. But that pirouette play did get his attention.

'That was one of the better plays we've had all year,' Bochy said. 'You're going full-bore and you've got some speed going down the line. To not only catch the ball but have the wherewithal to know where the base is, it shows you how athletic this guy is.'

As for the pitching part, Bumgarner said he's feeling no wear and tear from the season, despite the fact that he's second in the National League in innings pitched behind the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw and is coming off a 2014 season in which he threw 270 total innings combining regular season and postseason. The Giants left tied the Cubs' Jake Arietta for the major league lead in wins.

'Right now, the body feels good, the command feels good, plus the delivery,' he said. 'That's the main thing, having my delivery right and the rest kind of falls in - mindset, all that stuff. That's really it. I just try to keep it as simple as I can. I can't give you some crazy answer.'

Having Byrd go deep with long balls in support of him helps, he admitted. 'He's 2-for-2 with three-run homers on my days,' Bumgarner said. 'I'll definitely take it. He's been great, awesome. He's been a big pickup for us.'

Byrd slammed his 21st homer and second with the Giants to straightaway center against Cubs starter Dan Haren, whom he has owned throughout his career. He came into the game with a .432 average (14-for-33) against the veteran right-hander with three home runs.

'Maybe because I've seen him a lot, but I really don't have a clue,' said Byrd. 'But usually every game I get at least one big hit against him. I can't explain it.'

As for coming up big for Bumgarner again, Byrd added, 'I've got to start hitting some for some of the other guys now.'

Tomlinson padded the scoring with his first major league home run in the eighth inning, and it was a big one — a grand slam to left field against Cubs left-hander James Russell. Tomlinson tried to hold in his glee after he returned to his second base position, but Byrd and ran by and told him to savor the moment and smile. And he did.

'I'm usually pretty locked in and don't smile too much, but I couldn't keep the smile off my face after that,' said Tomlinson, who is hitting .346 as Joe Panik's emergency stand-in.