PHOENIX -- Madison Bumgarner's outing on Friday night didn't result in a win, but if the D-backs left-hander continues to pitch the way he did, it's a good sign for the team going forward.

Bumgarner allowed just two runs (one earned) over six innings, but the D-backs’ offense could not support him as they fell to the Cubs, 5-1.

• Box score

"I think it went as well as we could have all hoped, and especially Bum," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "Like I said pregame, he has been working really hard to come back and help us win a baseball game, and he did a great job."

It was Bumgarner's first start since June 2, when he was forced to leave that game against the Mets with left shoulder inflammation. The left-hander gave up just two hits against the Cubs, one of which was a home run to Anthony Rizzo.

"I felt like it went pretty good," Bumgarner said. "I feel like, overall, it was nice to get back out there. Wasn't super comfortable, you know, missing five or six weeks or whatever, so you're a little bit anxious once you get out there, but I thought it went pretty good."

Bumgarner threw 79 pitches, which was right about at the maximum amount the D-backs were going to let him throw in his first start back.

Pitch efficiency allowed him to get through the six innings, and his command was good, as he walked just one while striking out six.

"He deserves some good fortune," Lovullo said. "He's been [injured] a couple times already for us, and he's worked hard to come back out here and help us win baseball games. And just what I've been saying all along -- his presence, his ability to go out there and execute, keep us in ballgames is going to help this team win baseball games."

Injuries have decimated the D-backs’ Opening Day rotation. In addition to Bumgarner, Taylor Widener, Luke Weaver and Zac Gallen have all missed time.

While the D-backs are under no illusions about the postseason, given their 26-67 record, getting their starting pitchers healthy will go a long way toward stabilizing their season.

The first step in that was the return of Widener just before the All-Star break, when he held the Dodgers to one run over 4 1/3 innings. Add in Bumgarner's performance Friday and the fact that Gallen is expected to be activated to start Saturday and the semblance of a consistent rotation is beginning to take shape.

"I know everybody's coming back here at once and I'm excited about that and I think everyone else is," Bumgarner said. "We haven't talked about it, but I think everyone's for sure looking forward to getting out here and getting going and seeing what we can do."