Giants win World Series in game seven

The San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Cardinals in game seven of the World Series.

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The San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Cardinals in game seven of the World Series.

The San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in an exhilarating seventh game, winning the World Series on Oct. 29.

The championship match went to a nail biting Game 7 with a close Giants’ win of 3-2, and seven innings spent with no runs.

The Giants’ 2014 win marks the third time the Giants have won the World Series in the past five years, following their wins in 2010 and 2012. Only one team has ever before won the World Series three times in five years, in 1946 by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Renowned pitcher and MVP Madison Bumgarner received accolades for notably pitching five scoreless innings on only two days rest-a pitcher of his type is typically allowed four days of rest between games. In addition, Bumgarner played as a relief pitcher in Game 7, a position that he does not typically serve. Bumgarner pitched a total of five scoreless innings in Game 7.

Bumgarner’s deployment was strategically a very risky move by Giants manager Bruce Bochy. With little rest, Bumgarner ran the risk of poor performance, injury, and by extension both the loss of the game and damage to his career.

The game was very low scoring, with runs being made only during innings 2 and 4.

During the last inning, Royals’ batter Alex Gordon hit a line-drive ball, which should have brought him safely to first base. However, Giants’ outfielder Gregor Blanco misplayed, allowing Gordon to advance to third base instead.

The next batter had the ability to tie the game, or potentially hit a home run, bringing a victory for the Royals. With no remaining innings, the Giants would be unable to contest. The pressure was felt by the Royals as well-they sat on two outs.

However, Bumgarner forced the next batter into hitting a pop-up, allowing Pablo Sandoval to catch the last out, bringing an end to the World Series.

The Giants’ third World Series win is a historic moment in baseball history, and establishes their position as a dynasty for this decade.