Madison Bumgarner Shuts Down Royals as Giants Take Game Seven 3-2

The World Series was right there for the taking. The Kansas City Royals had once again knocked a Giants starter out in the second inning and were making their way into the Giants bullpen. And then, Madison Bumgarner happened, and the Royals fell in Game Seven 3-2.

In a replay of Game Six, both starters pitched a scoreless first. However, the Giants were able to get to Game Seven starter Jeremy Guthrie in the second. A hit batter and two base hits loaded the bases, and Guthrie managed to minimize the damage by getting two sacrifice flies, as the Giants took a 2-0 lead.

The Royals came right back against Tim Hudson. Billy Butler led off the inning with a base hit, and came around to score from first on Alex Gordon‘s double to center. Salvador Perez was then hit in the thigh on the very next pitch, putting runners at first and second. Mike Moustakas flied out to left, moving Gordon to third. Omar Infante followed with a sacrifice fly, tying the game and ending Hudson’s night. And, as it would turn out, ending the Royals offense as well.

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With the score tied, it felt as though Game Seven would come down to whichever team made the first mistake. As it turned out, it was the Royals. Pablo Sandoval led off the inning with a ground ball near the bag at second which Infante gloved, but he slipped while making the throw, allowing Sandoval to be safe. Hunter Pence singled, and after a fly ball moved Sandoval to third, that was the night for Guthrie. Kelvin Herrera came in to attempt to slam the door, but was not able to shut it quick enough. A base hit by Michael Morse scored Sandoval, giving the Giants a 3-2 lead.

That would prove to be the final margin. Madison Bumgarner, who may well be some sort of pitching cyborg from another planet, came in and shut the Royals down after the fourth inning. However, he gave the Royals a glimmer of hope. With two outs in the ninth, and the Royals down to their final out, Gordon singled to center. The ball skipped past Gregor Blanco and reached the wall, allowing Gordon to reach third, bringing Wild Card Game hero Salvador Perez to the plate. Unfortunately, Perez was unable to replicate that success, popping up foul to end the game and the Royals season.

Madison Bumgarner picked up his third win of the postseason, pitching five scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits while striking out four. Even though he was expected to last only 40 to 45 pitches, Bumgarner threw 68 pitches on two days of rest.

Gordon was 2-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in the loss.