Wednesday night the San Francisco Giants ousted the Kansas City Royals, 3-2, to capture the 2014 World Series Title.
This do or die game was one for the record books. Tim Hudson, whose sixteen year major league career never saw a World Series title until this year, was the starting pitcher. The Giants got off to an early start scoring two runs in in the top of the second inning to take an early lead. The Royals answered back and washed away the Giants lead with the help of Royals left fielder Alex Gordan and second baseman Omar Infante, who’s sacrifice fly brought Gordon home to tie the game.
Left handed pitcher, Jeremy Affeldt of the Giants took the ball in the second inning to relieve struggling Hudson. Although Affeldt was given official credit for the win, it was World Series MVP, Madison Bumgarner’s five inning relief stint on just two days rest that stole the show.
After designated hitter Michael Morse drove in the go ahead run in the top of the fourth inning, Bumgardner did his job and kept the lead for the Giants.
In an interview with Baseball Tonight, Bumgarner said, “I didn’t go in there thinking I was going to pitch that many innings.” He added, “I was just thinking, it’s my job to go out there and do my best to just keep the other team [the Royals] from scoring.” And he did just that, although he did give up a triple to KC Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar and had the tying run on third base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Bumgarner made history Wednesday night and now is the record holder for the lowest ERA in postseason history (minimum 25 innings pitched) at 0.25.
This is third title in five years for the comeback kids, formally making a San Francisco Giants dynasty winning the titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
The Royals put up a fight to make it to a do or die game 7, but Madison Bumgarner’s dominance ket the Giants ahead.
This was an entertaining Fall Classic that featured both wild card teams that left the outcome in the air, but the Giants prevailed.
This concludes the 2014 baseball season, and the 2015 season will formally start the first week of April, with catchers and pitchers reporting to Spring Training in February.
Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants winning the 2014 World Series, which made this the third win in five years and the eighth overall title in franchise history. Good luck in the 2015 season as reigning World Series Champions.