Pitcher Madison Bumgarner tapped to hit in an AL ballpark — the 1st in 40 years

San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has been campaigning to be included in next month’s Home Run Derby, and he has a chance to help make his case Thursday night.

The Giants have opted against using a designated hitter when they wrap up their series in Oakland, which will make Bumgarner the first pitcher in 40 years intentionally tapped by his team to take the plate in an American League ballpark.

Manager Bruce Bochy said the decision is as simple as letting the right-handed Bumgarner face Oakland’s left-handed rookie starter, Dillon Overton.

“He’s a good hitter, he’s dangerous and we’re facing a lefty,” Bochy said.

In 1976, the Chicago White Sox let pitcher Ken Brett bat for himself. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Andy Sonnanstine did the same in 2009, but that was due to a lineup card mix-up.

Bumgarner is hitting .175 with seven hits, two home runs, 17 strikeouts and five walks in 40 at-bats this season. But he likes to put on spectacular hitting displays during batting practice in hopes of being included in the annual derby.

But Bochy has said that’s not going to happen because of the risk of injury.

“I couldn’t let him do it,” Bochy said. “We couldn’t let him do it.”