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 The Giants sealed the best-of-five Division playoffs 3-1, setting
up a re-match of the 2012 Championship Series with the Cardinals,
who earlier knocked out the Dodgers.
A wild pitch from Aaron Barrett with bases loaded in the bottom of
the seventh proved decisive, allowing Joe Panik home for the winning
run after Buster Posey had singled and Hunter Pence was walked.
That followed a second inning meltdown for the Nationals, with
starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez walking Gregor Blanco with the bases
loaded.
Juan Perez, who had reached base on an error, flashed home to double
the advantage as Panik ground out to first.
Washington halved the advantage in the top of the fifth when Ian
Desmond was driven in from first by a Bryce Harper double to left
field.
For a second it appeared Jayson Werth might tie the scores in the
sixth only to have Giants right fielder Pence brilliantly throw
himself against the outfield fence to make a great catch.
“It’s outstanding. It’s been a remarkable journey, I wouldn’t trade
it for the world,” Pence told reporters.
“This group, to take the field in this stadium, with this team and
these fans, it’s truly a blessing.”
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But Harper wasn’t finished putting his stamp on the contest, coming
up big in the top of the seventh with a solo home run into the bay
over right field against reliever Hunter Strickland to bring the
score to 2-2.
Sadly for Nats fans, Harper’s shot was nullified by the wild pitch
and while he reached base on a walk with two outs in the ninth,
Ramos ground out.
The Giants have now won seven straight series in October when added
to their 2010 and 2012 World Series winning years.
“We go as hard as we can and we give it all we got (in October),”
Pence said.
(Writing by Ben Everill; Editing by Ian Ransom)
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