Cards error in 10th helps Giants to Game 3 win
The Giants now lead the NLCS two games to one. (USATSI)
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven NLCS over the Cardinals, after a dramatic 10th-inning victory. On the final play, Gregor Blanco laid down a perfect bunt to move runners to second and third with one out — but instead, Randy Choate threw the ball into right field and Brandon Crawford was able to get home.
It was an oddball game, for sure, with a huge Giants first inning, nothing again until the 10th and the Cardinals owning innnings 2-9, but losing the game. And, well, the flags were screaming for most of the game, sometimes in different directions than this:
Good ol’ Bay. Love it. Randal Grichuk and Hunter Pence may not have agreed during this game, at least on two plays in right field in particular. Like Travis Ishikawa‘s huge double in the first inning, which gave Grichuk fits:
Anywho, let’s get to it.
Hero: I’m going with Travis Ishikawa on the above knock. That big blow drove home three Giants and made for a comfortable first-inning lead. Without it, they’re likely down 2-1 in the series instead of up.
Goat: It’s easily Choate. He allowed a leadoff walk, then a hit to light-hitting Juan Perez before losing the game on a throwing error.
Turning point: The second inning for John Lackey. After that turbulent first, the Giants’ only hit was a Tim Hudson single. The offense just went on vacation. Much of it was due to Cardinals pitchers, including Lackey, who had much better command — specifically with keeping his breaking ball down — after the first, when he missed spots on a few of the first-inning hits. Let’s ask younger John Lackey what he thought of the first:
The Cardinals, though, just scratched and clawed back, as they tend to do in October.
From there, the second “turning point” came when the Giants finally got their first hit by a non-pitcher since the first inning, via Juan Perez. It paved the way for the late fireworks.
It was over when: The winning run crossed home plate, of course, following Choate’s throw.
Fun stat of the game:
Lackey is 1st pitcher to be hit by pitch in postseason since Steve Carlton hit by Tommy John in 1977 NLCS
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) October 14, 2014
Next: Game 4 is set for Wednesday at 8:07 p.m. ET, which means 4:07 out here and 6:07 in St. Louis. It’ll be youngster Shelby Miller on the hill for the Cardinals against veteran Ryan Vogelsong for the Giants. The Cardinals need a win to avoid a 3-1 hole, while the Giants are looking to keep their momentum. Tune in (if you can).
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