(The Sports Xchange) - San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner retired the first 23 batters he faced before settling for a one-hit shutout in an 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday, with the Giants ace admitting the result was more important than personal glory.
"I'm not here to throw perfect games or no-hitters," the reigning World Series Most Valuable Player assured after the third one-hit shutout of his career. "They're special. But nothing is going to get in the way of winning the game."
Center fielder Angel Pagan and first baseman Brandon Belt smacked solo home runs, and right fielder Marlon Byrd drove in three runs with three hits, helping the Giants (74-68) keep pace with the Los Angeles Dodgers (81-60) atop the NL West.