Giants complete comeback, head to World Series to face Tigers

(Ricky Lindsay / MJ)

By RICKY LINDSAY, Staff Reporter

The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants continued their series last week in St. Louis, after the teams split the first two games in San Francisco.

Game 3 was a battle between Cardinals’ starter Kyle Lohse and Giants’ ace Matt Cain. Lohse shut down Giants’ hitters, allowing only one run in five and two-thirds innings.

Cain pitched well, lasting six and two-thirds innings, while giving up three earned runs. He was unable to return after the lengthy (3 1/2 hour) rain delay.

Matt Carpenter hit the go-ahead, two-run home run, after replacing Carlos Beltran, who was injured in the first inning.

The Cardinals went on to win Game 3, 3-1, giving them a 2-1 series lead over the Giants.

In Game 4, two time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum took the mound to oppose Adam Wainwright. Lincecum’s struggles continued, as he gave up four runs in four and two-thirds innings pitched.

Wainwright looked spectacular, throwing seven innings with five strikeouts while allowing only one run.

Matt Holliday went 2-5 with two RBI’s. Holliday, along with Wainwright, led the Cardinals to an 8-1 win in Game 4, giving the team a 3-1 series lead.

The Giants, on the brink of elimination, sent Barry Zito to oppose Lance Lynn in Game 5. Zito dialed back the clock to 2006, pitching the game of his life. He threw seven and two-thirds scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

Lynn struggled, only lasting three and two-thirds innings while allowing four runs. He did, however, rack up six strikeouts in that short time.

Pablo Sandoval was a bright spot for the Giants’ offense. He went 2-4, with a late solo home run, leading the Giants to an 5-0 win in Game 5.

The series shifted to San Francisco for Game 6. Cardinals’ ace Chris Carpenter took on Ryan Vogelsong. Carpenter struggled, lasting four innings and allowing five runs (two earned).

Vogelsong went seven strong innings, striking out nine while allowing only one run. Marco Scutaro continued his run with the Giants, going 2-3 with two RBI’s.

The Giants ended up winning 6-1, pushing the series to a winner-take-all Game 7.

Game 7 was historic, as it was the first Game 7 in the NLCS since 2006. Cain and Lohse squared off again, with a trip to the World Series on the line.

Cain did exactly what was needed of him, throwing five and two-thirds scoreless innings while racking up four strikeouts. Lohse struggled early, lasting only two innings while allowing five earned runs.

Scutaro continued his tear on Cardinals’ pitching, going 3-4 with one run scored. Hunter Pence broke out of his cold spell with a 2-5 night, topped off with two RBI’s.

With their 9-0, Game 7 victory, the Giants were crowned National League Champions to advance to the 2012 World Series, their second Fall Classic in three years. It was also their first Game 7 win in team history.

Scutaro earned NLCS MVP honors after going 11-24 with four RBI’s in the series. The second baseman was acquired by the Giants before the 2012 trade deadline.

The Giants welcome the American League Champions, the Detroit Tigers, to open the 2012 World Series. Game 1 can be seen Wednesday at 8:07 PM on FOX.