San Francisco closed in on their first World Series title for 56 years after beating the Texas Rangers 4-0.
Sunday's victory in Arlington behind a superb performance by rookie pitcher Madison Bumgarner means the Giants now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
Left-hander Bumgarner, 21, shut down the Rangers for eight innings on three hits before closer Brian Wilson registered the last three outs.
The Rangers had the backing of a pair of former US presidents on Sunday as George HW Bush and son George W Bush took to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.
Their appearance had the Rangers Ballpark crowd cheering, but Bumgarner soon quietened the home fans .
The youngest pitcher to start a World Series game since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, he dazzled the Rangers with his precision and variety.
An infield single in the fourth, and singles in the sixth and seventh innings were the only hits off the rookie, who went 7-6 during the regular season.
"I just keep telling myself to relax," said the 6ft 5ins pitcher from North Carolina, who walked two and struck out six.
"I've told myself so much that it's starting to become second nature and it makes it a lot easier on me and the players, I think, to see somebody that's relaxed out there."
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said: "I can't say enough about what he did tonight, 21 years old on that stage."
Texas counterpart Ron Washington concurred, saying: "He didn't throw one pitch at the same speed and he moved the ball around. The kid did a great job."
A towering two-run homer deep down the right-field line by designated hitter Aubrey Huff off Rangers starter Tommy Hunter in the third innings got the Giants all the runs they needed.
An RBI-double to centre by Andres Torres in the seventh scored Edgar Renteria, and rookie catcher Posey crushed a homer in the eighth to cap the scoring.
The Giants also shone in the field, with second baseman Freddy Sanchez making several brilliant stops and Cody Ross sliding to make a fine catch in left field.
San Francisco will send Tim Lincecum to the mound against Cliff Lee of Texas for game five, and Washington added: "We've got to figure out some ways to put some runs on the board against them."
Source link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/baseball/9143956.stm
Sunday's victory in Arlington behind a superb performance by rookie pitcher Madison Bumgarner means the Giants now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
Left-hander Bumgarner, 21, shut down the Rangers for eight innings on three hits before closer Brian Wilson registered the last three outs. San Francisco can secure Major League Baseball's crown in Texas on Monday.
The franchise's last World Series win came in 1954 when they played in New York. The Rangers had the backing of a pair of former US presidents on Sunday as George HW Bush and son George W Bush took to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.
Their appearance had the Rangers Ballpark crowd cheering, but Bumgarner soon quietened the home fans .
The youngest pitcher to start a World Series game since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, he dazzled the Rangers with his precision and variety.
An infield single in the fourth, and singles in the sixth and seventh innings were the only hits off the rookie, who went 7-6 during the regular season.
"I just keep telling myself to relax," said the 6ft 5ins pitcher from North Carolina, who walked two and struck out six.
"I've told myself so much that it's starting to become second nature and it makes it a lot easier on me and the players, I think, to see somebody that's relaxed out there."
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said: "I can't say enough about what he did tonight, 21 years old on that stage."
Texas counterpart Ron Washington concurred, saying: "He didn't throw one pitch at the same speed and he moved the ball around. The kid did a great job."
A towering two-run homer deep down the right-field line by designated hitter Aubrey Huff off Rangers starter Tommy Hunter in the third innings got the Giants all the runs they needed.
An RBI-double to centre by Andres Torres in the seventh scored Edgar Renteria, and rookie catcher Posey crushed a homer in the eighth to cap the scoring.
The Giants also shone in the field, with second baseman Freddy Sanchez making several brilliant stops and Cody Ross sliding to make a fine catch in left field.
San Francisco will send Tim Lincecum to the mound against Cliff Lee of Texas for game five, and Washington added: "We've got to figure out some ways to put some runs on the board against them."
Source link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/baseball/9143956.stm
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