World Series Game Four: Bad Pitchers, Lots of Runs

Oct 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence makes a catch on a ball hit by Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (not pictured) in the 9th inning during game four of the 2014 World Series at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants used a late rally to crush the Kansas City Royals 11-4 and even up the World Series at two games a piece.

It was actually a pretty good game through the first six innings. After five innings the game was tied at four, but the Giants broke out for three runs in the sixth and another four in the seventh to run away with it.

The teams combined for 28 hits!

I’m not going to criticize either of the managers tonight, though they both gave the opportunity to do so. Tonight was about the Giants offense breaking out of their malaise and knocking the ball around the field.

Four giants players had multi-hit games tonight. Gregor Blanco had two singles, Joe Panik had two doubles, Hunter Pence had a double and two singles, and Pablo Sandoval had two singles.

Every spot in the Giants lineup had a hit tonight, and they got three hits out of the nine-hole, despite the starting pitcher, Ryan Vogelsong not having one.

Neither starting pitcher had a night they’ll be happy with. Jason Vargas went four innings for the Royals; he allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three. He was pulled after giving up a leadoff single in the fifth inning.

Ryan Vogelsong didn’t even manage to go that long. He went just 2 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk. He only struck out two hitters.

It came down to the bullpens and the Giants’ combination of Jean Machi (one out), Yusmeiro Petit, Jeremy Affeldt, Sergio Romo and Hunter Strickland shut the Royals down for the final 6 1/3 innings, including three scoreless out of Petit.

Tonight was a fun game to watch, it was tight and close for six innings, and then one team ran away with it.

It was a light night for the former Brewers in the series. Nori Aoki and Travis Ishikawa were both on the bench and both went 0-for-1 as pinch hitters. Alcides Escobar had a single but that was it for the Royals.

Lorenzo Cain had two singles and scored a run for the Royals. He appeared to be grimacing on the bases a few times, but the in-game reports from FOX said that he was fine so we never knew what the cause was.

They’ll play one more game in San Francisco before heading back to Kansas City. Sunday night’s game will feature James Shields taking on Madison Bumgarner.