San Francisco Giants come from behind to win Game 3; One game away from World Series

The San Francisco Giants came from behind to beat the St. Louis Cardinals last night, and in doing so, have positioned themselves just one win away from another trip to the World Series.

Things are getting real around here, folks.

The Cardinals go on the board early last night, determined not to fall behind like they did in Game 3. They put a run up in the 1st inning, but the Giants were able to match it. Then they put a run up in the 2nd inning, which the Giants weren’t able to match in the same inning. The 3rd inning came, and the Cards drove in two more runs. Of course, one of them came off a Kolten Wong solo home run with two outs. I’m not sure why we’re still throwing strikes to this guy.

Heading into the bottom of the 3rd the Giants were trailing 4-1. Ryan Vogelsong was lifted after the 3rd inning, ending his impressive streak of superior playoff pitching. He didn’t have it last night, but fortunately Yusmeiro Petit did.

In the bottom of the 3rd, the Giants made a run to catch up. They put two more runs up and ending the inning just down one run.

Here’s where the good stuff happens. Even though Vogelsong didn’t have his stuff yesterday, Petit pitched three solid innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. After he was lifted for the 7th inning, the bullpen did their job and continued shutting the Cardinals down the rest of the game.

Down one run in the bottom of the 6th, things got a little weird for the Cardinals Matt Adams. After Juan Perez walked, and Brandon Crawford singled, Matt Duffy moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. With Gregor Blanco hitting into a fielder’s choice, Adams stalked just enough to allow Perez to score and tie the game. Joe Panik then hit a hard ball to Adams at first base. Adams decided to go for the double play to negate the run at home. He stepped on the bag at first, getting Panik out, then threw the ball to second base to get Blanco out.

Except he didn’t make a good throw. Blanco was clearly safe, and Crawford was able to score the go-ahead run, giving the Giants their first lead of the game.

The Giants weren’t done there though. Buster Posey drove Blanco in, giving the Giants an insurance run, and putting them up 6-4.

No one scored the rest of the game, as the San Francisco bullpen did their job and limited baserunners.

Buster Posey had a big night with 2 hits and 3 RBIs. I also can’t say enough about the job Petit did coming in to relieve Vogelsong. Vogelsong’s line was 3 innings pitched, 7 hits, 2 walks, and 4 earned runs. Petit came in and pitched 3 innings with just 1 hit, 1 walk, and 0 earned runs. It was a great pick up and Petit was rewarded with the win.

The Giants need to finish out this series today and not take it back to St. Louis.  Giants fans and players know far too well that a 3-1 series lead doesn’t mean swat. Unfortunately, the Cardinals also know it and will probably be looking for a little payback for Marco Scutaro‘s rain dance in the 2012 NLCS.