Giants’ Madison Bumgarner strikes out eight in first rehab game

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WEST SACRAMENTO — He struck out the side in his first inning in more than two months. He struck out opposing pitcher Antonio Senzatela with a 61-mph eephus pitch. On the first pitch he saw as a hitter since spring training, he singled.

Madison Bumgarner’s minor-league rehab stint is not going to be long, if it continues at all.

The Giants need the big fella, and he provided a heaping helping of hope Saturday night in his return from a broken left hand.

Facing Colorado’s Triple-A Albuquerque squad, Bumgarner struck out eight of his 12 hitters, did not allow a hit and walked one. He threw 47 pitches in 32/3 innings, just more than the scheduled 45. Based on how good his hand and command felt, he said he was ready to pitch in the majors if the Giants asked.

“I obviously didn’t know before today, but I think so,” Bumgarner said. “I wouldn’t say I’d be back at midseason form, but I definitely feel I could get some outs.”

Bumgarner is supposed to make another rehab start for Class A San Jose on Thursday. Nobody should be surprised if he faces the Phillies at AT&T Park on Friday night instead after the way he dominated in front of an overflow crowd at Raley Field, even if he can’t provide more than 70 pitches in his next outing.

Bumgarner threw all of his pitches for strikes Saturday, got swings and misses on his fastball, which hit 92 mph, and had a good cutter, slider and curveball, including the rainbow at 61 mph he threw for strike three to Senzatela in the third inning. Bumgarner was seeking weak contact on a bunt to get an out at second base.

Bumgarner then added insult to injury by hitting a first-pitch single off Senzatela through a hole in the right side in the bottom of the inning.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner made a rehab start for The Sacramento River Cats on May 26,2018, Bumgarner pitched 3.2 innings striking out 8. He made 47 with 31 strikes. He went 1 for 1 at the plate with a single in the 3rd inning. Photo; Ralph Thompson/ River Cats less San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner made a rehab start for The Sacramento River Cats on May 26,2018, Bumgarner pitched 3.2 innings striking out 8. He made 47 with 31 strikes. He went 1 for 1 at the ... more Photo: Ralph Thompson / River Cats Photo: Ralph Thompson / River Cats Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Giants’ Madison Bumgarner strikes out eight in first rehab game 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

“I felt pretty good about how everything was working,” he said. “Obviously, I’ll see how I feel tomorrow and bounce back. We’re not rushing it — but we’re not taking it slow, either.”

Bumgarner took the mound two months and three days after he stuck his left hand in front of his chest to protect himself from a liner by the Royals’ Whit Merrifield. The ball broke his left pinkie. He knew it instantly.

The injury occurred on the final day of spring training in Arizona. Bumgarner had looked as good as ever in his six starts, striking out 30 in 21 innings.

On Saturday, after the River Cats made Bumgarner feel at home by playing “Fire on the Mountain” as he warmed up, he struck out Garrett Hampson and Raimel Tapia looking before getting Josh Fuentes to swing through a fastball on the 17th and final pitch of the first inning.

After five more strikeouts, Bumgarner said he felt good, with “everything headed in the right direction.”

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hankschulman