For the second time in three years, the San Francisco Giants will represent the National League in the World Series.
The Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0 Monday night in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, coming back from a 3-1 hole to clinch in front of their home crowd.
The Giants took control of the game early, scoring runs in each of the opening three innings, highlighted by a five run third inning.
The big hit came off the bat of Hunter Pence in the third inning with the bases load. On a broken bat, Pence hit a fisting line drive through the infield for a 3-run double to clear the bases. The Giants added two more runs in the inning to extend their lead to 7-0.
Marco Scutaro, who was chosen as the series’ MVP, led the Giant attack finishing 3-for-4, to end the series batting .500.
The Giants started the scoring early with an RBI ground out by Pablo Sandoval in the first inning. San Francisco scored again in the second with a Matt Cain single to drive in Gregor Blanco. It was the third-consecutive game a Giant pitcher drove in a run.
The Giants capped the scoring in the eighth inning with a Brandon Belt home run to right field.
Matt Cain, who threw 5 2-3 shutout baseball, struggled at times for the Giants, allowing baserunners in each of the first four innings. Strong defense, though, kept the Giants’ shutout intact.
The final out was recorded by Sergio Romo on a Matt Holiday pop up to Scutaro at second.
It was the Giants first ever win in a Game 7 and sixth-consecutive win facing elimination, tying a Major League Baseball record.
The Giants host the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday.
