Bumgarner named POW

The Defenders' release...

BUMGARNER NAMED E.L. PITCHER OF THE WEEK

PORTLAND, ME- Madison Bumgarner, a left-handed starting pitcher for the Connecticut Defenders, is the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending August 30th. The 20-year old made one start for the Defenders last week and was 1-0 with two strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in seven innings pitched. Bumgarner, who is a native of Hickory, North Carolina, made his only appearance of the week on Wednesday night at New Britain and pitched seven shutout innings in a 3-0 victory over the Rock Cats. He struck out two batters in the game while allowing just one walk and scattering four hits. With the win he improved his record to 9-1 on the season while lowering his ERA to 1.91 and his WHIP to 1.06, both of which would lead the league if he had pitched enough innings this season to qualify. The 6’4”, 215 lb. southpaw has not allowed an earned run in six of his 18 appearances with the Defenders since being promoted from Class-A San Jose in early May, and he has allowed two earned runs or less in 15 of those 18 games. Madison, who won the Minor League Baseball Most Spectacular Pitcher Award last season after going 15-3 with a 1.46 ERA with Class-A Augusta, was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 2007 draft as the 10th overall selection.