The San Francisco Giants did what they had to do over this past weekend. The Giants won games 4 and 5, in this year’s Fall Classic, to go up 3-2 in the Series.
The World Series now comes back to Kansas City for game 6 tonight, and the final, if necessary, hopefully, will be played tomorrow night.
Giants right fielder Hunter Pence has been brilliant, both offensively – presently through the first 5 games, Pence is batting .474 with 9 hits in 19 plate appearances – and, as a defensive factor as well. His raw enthusiasm has been contentious! Pence is the kind of professional athlete every parent, and coach, should be using as a ‘role model’ for how-to-play, and more importantly, how-to-contribute. Plus, for me, he just shows a complete love for the sport he plays…every time I’ve ever watched him.
But, in addition of Pence, there were two other Giants that should be highlighted: Yusmeiro Petit and Madison Bumgarner.
Petit could be in the starting rotation for most major league clubs, his stuff is that good. Saturday night, Bruce Bouchy, the Giants manager – headed for the Hall of Fame if the Giants go on to win this Series – called on Petit in the middle innings of game 4; in a game that the Giants had to have to stay alive in this series, and Yusmeiro responded in a big-time fashion, pitching 3 scoreless innings as the Giants evened the series.
Bumgarner pitched on Sunday night. NOT to put too finer a point on it, Bumgarner dominated on Sunday night! Madison Bumgarner pitched the first complete-game shutout since Josh Beckett in 2003; and, that was when Josh Beckett was good – really good! – NOT the fried chicken king he became with the Red Sox, or, as he’s known throughout New England: “The Colonel.”
But, I digress, back to Bumgarner. In the two games he has pitched in, thus far, he has thrown 16 total innings; given up only 1 walk; given up only 1 run; struck out 13 batters; and, has a .056 ERA. Legendary stats!
Honestly, I think it’s been a fabulous series.
And, about all I can say at this juncture is to echo what the great Chicago Cub, Ernie Banks, was fond of saying, “Lets play two!”
Lobster on the Prairie 