The Killer P's

Game one sets the tone. In the nation's capital, the Giants proved they are not intimidated. Forget the season statistics and the fact that the Washigton Nationals own the best record in baseball. This one was a beauty from the start. Leading the way, a pitcher who many were dismissing as more emotion than substance. Jake Peavy was winless in his last three post season starts, but don't doubt this 33 year old. He walked on that mound and used his fiery emotion to fuel a shutout through six innings. He was the lead killer P with a backup that once again proved it's all about the team.

How important was this first win? Just ask anyone who took the afternoon off on a beautiful sunshiny day and was inside watching the playoff game. My good friend Mary Ann changed her Friday plans as did I. She absolutely had to cancel lunch and a movie with her friends to join the crowd at Rogue/Nick's Crispy Tacos in San Francisco and cheer on our boys in Orange and Black.  We all screamed as rookie Joe Panik drives in a run and scores another. Were thrilled to see Hunter Pence and Buster Posey with timely hits as well as Pablo Sandoval and the two Brandons, Belt and Crawford. Yes, we were very nervous after our young gun Hunter Strickland gave up two home runs. But Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla secured the save. The emotion was raw and contagious. It started with Peavy who got the win but smoothly infiltrated the visitor's dugout.  Of course there's a long way to go. But winning game one with strong pitching, solid hitting and top notch defense sets the stage for what the Giants did in 2010 and 2012, defy the odds and hold up the World Series trophy.  Romo summarized it perfectly, "We tapped into our postseason experience. There's that little extra thing in our chemistry, that focus, that determination, that separates postseason games from regular season games. Everything seems to mater in the playoffs. We've had our backs against the wall in tough environments against tough pitching and tough lineups. It enables us to stick together." And we the fans are right there with you, together, even if it means changing our day plans.