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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Bruce Bochy all but had his mind made up days ago: Madison Bumgarner would hit in an AL ballpark for interleague rather than using a designated hitter.All the San Francisco Giants manager had to do was ask the ace pitcher himself, knowing full well the big left-hander would want to swing the bat. At first, MadBum thought Bochy was joking, then quickly said: No, Id love to. Id rather hit.Bumgarner doubled leading off the third inning of the finale of a four-game series against lefty Dillon Overton and the Oakland Athletics on Thursday night as San Francisco tried to avoid a sweep. The Giants batted around and he also ended the inning with an infield popup.This wasnt a tough call for me, the way he swings the bat, the numbers, facing a left-hander, Bochy said. All of these things came into play. Its nothing against our guys, but hes a pretty good hitter and its a pretty good matchup. ... It keeps him in the game, the flow of his normal game being in the National League. He was all for it. And he would have been fine the other way. He didnt come to me, he didnt push for it. I went to him and said, `Hey, Im thinking about letting you hit for yourself and not use the DH.It will be the first time a team intentionally used a pitcher to hit instead of a DH since the Chicago White Sox allowed Ken Brett to do it in 1976 -- the Rays were forced to bat pitcher Andy Sonnanstine in 2009 because of a lineup card mixup.Thats a long time, As manager Bob Melvin said. I would love to have someone like that you could plug into the lineup depending on what your roster looked like. Not too many guys like him. I dont know what that feels like. Theyre a little banged up, too. Hes got some power, swings the bat well. Hes a real hitter, so hes not the kind of guy that youre consistently looking to try to get to the bottom of the order so you can walk somebody to get to him.Bumgarner began the day batting .175 with two homers and five RBI in 40 at-bats. He even made a public plea to enter into the All-Star Home Run Derby, but Bochy said that idea is now off the table.The players union didnt want a Derby slot being taken by a pitcher, Bochy said, but the plan is to review the idea again of having a pitchers derby.There is no Home Run Derby for Madison, Bochy said. Its been nixed.Yankees manager Joe Girardi said letting a pitcher hit in the Derby could be devastating, so he wouldnt do it.I would like to, but, again, theyre not used to taking swings year-round, he said. If youre the San Francisco Giants, and hes a great hitter, Madison Bumgarner, he pulls a ribcage muscle, whos going to deal with that? Jake Arrieta pulls a ribcage muscle, whos going to deal with that? To me, its different if its a position player that plays every day, and youd love to reward the guy and say, `Go have fun. But a lot of times theres a lot on the line, and I would hate to see one of those guys go down because of the home run derby.---AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report. Curry 2 Fake .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Curry 5 Shoes For Sale . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. http://www.outletunderarmourstore.com/cheap-ua-fat-tire-online.html . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Fake Curry 1 .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Under Armour Speedform Outlet . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. The Super Rugby season wraps up on Saturday night with the Hurricanes and Lions doing battle in what promises to be a thrilling decider.A new champion will be crowned no matter the result, while both sides are full deserving of their place in the finale after excellent regular- and postseasons.They are well represented in our nominations for Super Rugby Team of the Year, too, as selected by Greg Growden, Craig Dowd and Sam Bruce.Greg Growdens Team of the Year15: Ben Smith 14: Ruan Combrinck 13: Seta Tamanivalu 12: R. J van Rensburg 11: James Lowe 10: Beauden Barrett 9: T.J Perenara 8: Warren Whiteley 7: Ardie Savea 6: Jaco Kriel 5: Eben Etzebeth 4: Pieter-Steph du Toit 3: Vincent Koch 2: Dane Coles 1: Dylan SmithBeauden Barrett has had an exceptional season, especially in the last six rounds or so, where he was instrumental in guiding the Hurricanes towards the final. His midfield kicking game was of the highest quality, while he often took the initiative in attack, making countless dangerous midfield charges. He has an innate ability to know exactly where the play is headed.Barretts Hurricanes teammate, Ardie Savea, has a sensational hairstyle, extraordinary speed and was forever dominant in the defensive line. The most dynamic of No.7s whose pace off the mark makes him the most dangerous of players anywhere on the field. Led the Hurricanes forward charge.I went for Ben Smith at fullback as he, like Barrett, is a masterful reader of a game, who repeatedly produced for the Highlanders. While the Chiefs Damian McKenzie was another strong candidate for the best XV fullback spot, Smith finished the season better, refusing to give in when they were getting swamped by the Lions in Johannesburg.Craig Dowds Team of the Year15: Ben Smith 14: Ruan Combrinck 13: Lionel Mapoe 12: Charlie Ngatai 11: Nemani Nadolo 10: Beauden Barrrett 9: TJ Perenara 8: Warren Whiteley 7: Ardie Savea 6: Jaco Kriel 5: Vaea Fifita 4: Brodie Retallick 3: Julian Redelinhuys 2: Dane Coles 1: Reggie GoodesIt was tough to choose a team of the tournament because New Zealanders didnt see enough of South African sides during the year.ddddddddddddIt was a tough call separating the inside backs but I opted for TJ Perenara over Aaron Smith and Faf du Plessis and Beauden Barrett over Elton Jantjies.I also felt Damian McKenzie was worthy of consideration at fullback for the impact he made, but felt Ben Smith was the more obvious candidate. On the left wing it was a toss-up between James Lowe, Waisake Naholo and Nemani Nadolo and Nadolo got the nod.Sam Bruces Team of the Tournament15: Damian McKenzie 14: Cuan Combrinck 13: Israel Folau 12: RJ van Rensburg 11: Courtnall Skosan 10: Beauden Barrett 9: TJ Perenara 8: Warren Whiteley 7: Ardie Savea 6: Jaco Kriel 5: Vaea Fifita 4: Eben Etzebeth 3: Vincent Koch 2: Dane Coles 1: Wyatt CrockettBoth Craig and Greg didnt select an Australian, and with good reason, but I thought Israel Folau did superbly in a new position at outside centre. Folaus transition was seamless, and he was the only Waratahs player to turn up most weeks.In terms of standout players, it was hard not to like what both Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie did this season. Barretts form has been sublime while McKenzies play was a refreshing reminder that rugby remains the domain of players of all shapes and sizes. He is a fearless campaigner.The selection of both Lions wingers, Combrinck and Skosan, may raise some eyebrows, but you cant argue with their eight and nine tries, respectively. They have finished superbly for the Lions out wide. ' ' '