This is why we love sports. The Giants quieted their critics with not one, not two but three home runs to clinch the National League Pennant in five games. The team that was accused of "stealing" the last two wins by capitalizing from Cardinals' errors put on a long ball show. None brighter than the walk off three run homer by Travis Ishikawa. He is the poster boy for perseverance, hard work, determination and finally, redemption. Ish was on the 2010 Roster that won the World Series. The former first baseman then bounced around the league, five different teams, down to the minors, considered quitting, but after being signed by the Giants he filled in when most needed in left field and connected on the biggest hit of his career with two on in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at 3-3. The crowd went wild as the ball sailed over the right field fence, his teammates mobbed him at home plate, his dream a reality. The 30 year old described the moment as: "It was just icing on the cake."
As has been the case all year, this win featured a multitude of stars. In the second inning, rookie Joe Panik broke the long ball spell with a two run shot that ignited the crowd and put the orange and black ahead 2-1 in the third. Ace Madison Bumgarner didn't have his best stuff, but the MVP of the series did enough to keep his team in the game. Mad Bum gave up two homers in the fourth, one to Matt Adams and one to Tony Cruz putting the Cards back on top 3-2. For the next four inning a pitching duel ensued with Adam Wainwright returning to his MVP form and shutting down the Giants. Then in the 8th Michael Morse came in to pinch-hit against reliever Pat Neshek. There was no question about this one. Morse whose left oblique injury has kept him out of the lineup since September, knew it too. He floated around the bases, jumping up and down, his joy evident all the way to the nose bleed section of AT&T Park. In the dugout, his teammates matched his enthusiasm and as Morse walked out to take his vow and encourage the crowd you just had a feeling this was going to be the Giants' night to win it all. Closer Santiago Casilla got the first two outs in the ninth. Then with bases loaded Jeremy Affeldt recorded the final out to send the game into the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at 3. Pablo Sandoval started the magical ninth with a solid single off another former MVP, Michael Wacha. Brandon Belt took a one out walk and Ishikawa made it a night to remember with his swing of the bat.
After the on field celebrations, Manager Bruce Bochy addressed the crowd and put it all in perspective. "It doesn't get any better than this, and to all you fans out there, nobody has it better than us. Thank you"
From those who never stopped believing, the feeling is mutual. Thank you Giants for another amazing ride to the World Series. Yes, torturous at times, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Kansas City be ready. The Giants are now hitting both the small and long ball and are on a Quest to repeat the feats of 2010 and 2012, after all it is another even number year.
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