The Giants were at Busch Stadium in St. Louis yesterday to face the Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Madison Bumgarner was set to face Cardinals star Adam Wainwright, in a battle to win Game 1. The Giants set their mark, winning Game 1 of the NLCS, shutting down the Cardinals 3-0.
Bumgarner pitched seven and two-thirds shutout innings. He struck out seven batters, allowing only four hits. Bumgarner set a major-league record with 26 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings .
The Giants made their mark early, scoring two runs in the second inning, getting Wainwright out of the game before he could throw a complete five innings. Travis Ishikawa‘s bloop single let Pablo Sandoval score. Hunter Pence scored after a fielding error by the Cardinals’ third baseman Matt Carpenter. In the third inning, Brandon Belt hit a sacrifice fly, allowing a score by Buster Posey.
Drama ensued in the seventh inning when Yadier Molina hit a single and got onto base. Jon Jay also reached base and Kolten Wong hit a slow bouncer to Belt. Belt threw the ball to Bumgarner, who tagged out Wong. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny argued the called, saying Bumgarner blocked the baseline, but ultimately Wong was called out. With two runners in scoring position, Bumgarner struck out Tony Cruz.
Posey went 1-5, Pence was 0-3, and Crawford was 0-4, while Sandoval went an amazing 3-4 and Belt was 1-1.
The Giants will play Game 2 of the NLCS today at 5:07 p.m. with Jake Peavy on the mound as the Giants face the Cardinals’ right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn.