Short and Sweep: Giants Champions Again

The San Francisco Giants kept the 2012 World Series short and sweet as they swept the Detroit Tigers four games to zero. The Giants won 8-3 on Oct. 24th, 2-0 on Oct. 25th, 2-0 on Oct. 27th, and 4-3 on Oct. 28th to become the 2012 champions.

Game one consisted of three homeruns from the Giants’ Pablo Sandoval, who became only the fourth player ever to hit three homeruns in a World Series game. Barry Zito started on the mound for the Giants, allowing only one run in five and two thirds innings. Detroit ace Justin Verlander couldn’t shut down the hot bats of the Giants, giving up five runs in four innings.

In game two, both pitchers were in control, with Giants’ Madison Bumgarner allowing just two hits and striking out eight, and Tigers’ Doug Fister allowing four hits. Fister was struck in the head by Gregor Blanco’s hit in the sixth inning, but was able to remain in the game until the seventh. The Giants scored their runs when Brandon Crawford hit a bases-loaded ground ball in the seventh inning and Hunter Pence hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the eighth. Despite the Tigers’ good defensive start, they were not able to hold the Giants and couldn’t seem to score for themselves.

The Giants had a lot of support and momentum from their fans, playing the first two games at their home field AT&T Park. “Whenever the Giants play in San Francisco, they have an advantage. The atmosphere and fans are super supportive and spirited, and they really invest into the team. Starting the series in San Francisco gave them an extra confidence boost and reminded them of the support they have,” said sophomore Sarah Smith.

The teams then traveled to Detroit for games three and four. Giants’ Ryan Vogelsong and Tim Lincecum did the outstanding pitching, shutting out the Tigers for the second game in a row. Detroit did come close to scoring though, when the bases were leaded with one out in the fifth inning. But the Tigers were not able to capitalize on the opportunity. The Giants’ two runs in the second inning were enough to get them the win.

Game four was a must-win situation for Detroit. The Tigers brought their better game on the 44-degree night, but it still wasn’t enough to gain control over the Giants. Giants’ Brandon Belt drove in the first run of the game in the second inning, but the Tigers responded in the third when Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera hit a 2-run homer, putting them ahead 2-1. The Giants bounced back when Buster Posey blasted a 2-run shot over the left field wall, putting the Giants back up 3-2. Matt Cain gave up a solo shot by Delmon Young to tie the game in the sixth. The game became a pitching duel from then on. This led the game to extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, National League MVP Marco Scutaro drove in teammate Ryan Theriot on an RBI single to put the Giants ahead 4-3 with three outs remaining to get the win. In the bottom of the tenth, Detroit’s last chance to stay alive, Giants’ closer Sergio Romo threw a perfect last inning, striking out all three Tigers, to clinch the title.

It wasn’t an easy run for the Giants, who have battled through what their fans call “Giants torture” all season. It was a complete team effort, a familiar term from their win in 2010. “I think when you look at this club, the terms ‘teamwork,’ ‘team play,’ ‘play as a team’ come to mind. That’s used loosely, but these guys truly did,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “They set aside their own agenda and asked what’s best for the club.”