 Giants take 3-1 lead with 4-0 shutout
Nederlands
ARLINGTON, Texas (USA) -
The San Francisco Giants have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in the World Series by shutting out Texas Rangers 4-0 in Game 4 on Sunday-evening.
The Giants can now win the title by winning on Monday-evening.
When Texas wins, the Series will move back to San Francisco.
On Monday, it will be another great pitching match-up between Tim Lincecum (Giants) and Cliff Lee (Rangers).
The only positive thing for the Rangers on Sunday was the throwing of the ceremonial first pitch by former President George W. Bush, who was accompanied by his father and also former President George H.W. Bush and Texas Rangers-President Nolan Ryan.
But from the first inning on, the Giants dominated in pitching, hitting and defense.
21-year old starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner threw eight strong innings in which he struckout six and gave up only three basehits.
After leaving a runner in the first inning, the Giants got on base again in the next at bat.
Cody Ross led off with a walk and Edgar Renteria singled with one out, but then Texas-centerfielder Josh Hamilton made a great diving catch on a line drive by Nate Schierholtz to end the inning.
In the home of the second, the Giants-defense started to make great plays of their own.
With two outs, Ian Kinsler walked, but then second baseman Freddy Sanchez made a nice leaping catch on a line drive by Jeff Francoeur.
In the third, the Giants opened the score with two runs.
Andres Torres led off with a double that hit first base, but was unable to advanced on a following grounder by Freddy Sanchez, but then Aubrey Huff drove the ball into deep rightfield for a 2-run homerun.
Texas-starter Tommy Hunter left after four innings and then Alexi Ogando took over.
He retired the side in the fifth and two more batters in the sixth, but then had to leave due to a strained muscle.
Darren Oliver took over and ended the inning, but then gave up the third Giants-run in the seventh inning.
With one out, Edgar Renteria singled and then scored on a 2-out double by Andres Torres.
The fourth run followed in the eighth inning.
Darren O'Day became the new pitcher for Texas with one out and then gave up a homerun to Buster Posey that made it 4-0.
After retiring the side in the third, Madison Bumgarner gave up a lead-off single to Michael Young, but he was caught stealing with two outs.
In the fifth, the side was retired, highlighted by a great catch by leftfielder Cody Ross.
In the sixth, Bumgarner gave up an one-out single to Mitch Moreland, but the Giants turned a double play, while it appeared that the batter had reached first base safely.
In the seventh, Josh Hamilton reached for Texas on an error with one out, then Nelson Cruz singled with two outs, which was only the third Ranger-hit in the game, but then Ian Kinsler lined out to Cody Ross.
After Bumgarner retired the side in the eighth, Brian Wilson ('the bearded wonder') threw the ninth inning.
After a line out, Wilson struckout the next two batters to end the game.
(October 31)
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