Giants win ALDS! - Coming into Game 4, a lot was in stake for both teams. Whether it was the Giants vying for their first first Postseason series win since the Barry Bonds era and their first trip to the NLCS since 2002, or the Braves hoping to keep Bobby Cox's managerial career alive for another day. But with only three quarters of the stadium filled, you kinda had a sense that the Braves faithful would be seeing both their hopes of a World Series tittle and Cox's career come to an end. The least they could have done was pay their respects to the man that managed their team for 20+ years. But before the world of Baseball bid Cox a farewell, a game was to be played.
And similar to the previous three games of the series, starting pitching would steal the show. Coming into the game, Giants starters combined for 11 hits, 4 BB's, 0 ER's, and 31 K's in 23 IP. Wins proving to be the only thing hard to come by as Cain and Sanchez had to settle for no-decisions, the only win coming from Lincecum. With yet another gem thrown by the Giants starting pitching staff, this time behind the arm of Madison Bumgarner, little offense was needed. As the tomahawk chop in full effect throughout Turner Field, the Braves would scratch across a run in the third. Giants outfielder Cody Ross tied it in the sixth with a solo shot, only to have the tie erased in the bottom half of the inning. Braves catcher Brian McCann sent the first pitch he saw into the bleachers, giving Atlanta the lead once again.
San Francisco answered back an inning later thanks to two RBI singles from Juan Uribe and Cody Ross, regaining the lead, 3-2. It was then time for some relief work. For several years now, the bullpen has been a major strong point for the Giants. However, the same exact bullpen that ranked second best in the NL this year, has been anything but impressive so far this Postseason. Tonight would be a different story though. After reaching base again, Braves skipper Bobby Cox decided to pinch-run for the power hitting McCann. A similar move Giants manager Bruce Bochy made in Game 2 when pulling the home run threat of Pat Burrell, which proved to be a costly mistake. With limited power remaining in the Braves line-up, Giants relievers Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Brian Wilson all combined for three shutout innings to seal the ball game, sending the Giants to their first Championship Series in eight years.
Before the bottle popping began in the clubhouse, the Giants players and coaching staff withheld their celebration and walked onto the field to give the retiring Cox a round of applause of their own. The 69 year old Cox was given a curtain call and saluted the Atlanta crowd before tipping his hat and giving the Giants personnel a thumbs up. With a banged up roster without a number of key players such as Chipper Jones, Martin Prado and Billy Wagner, you've gotta wonder what the series would've been like if Atlanta was in full strength. I'm not one to complain though, and I couldn't be any happier to see my Giants move on to the NLCS. Game 1 which takes place at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, sets up for a match-up of epic proportions as Roy Halladay faces Tim Lincecum. Get your popcorn ready!
No comments:
Post a Comment