The San Francisco Giants beat the Texas Rangers tonight, 3-1 in Game 5 to win the World Series. This win is the first championship for the Giants since moving to the left coast from Brooklyn to the Bay City in 1958. Brian Wilson’s strikeout ended the game and was followed by a dog pile on the pitcher’s mound of celebrating players.
A scoreless game through six innings, the pitchers dual between Tim Lincecum and Cliff Lee appeared to be everything it was built up to be, with both pitchers looking sharp and efficient. Quite the contrast from Game 1 which saw Lincecum on the winning end of an offensive explosion and the Giants handling the Rangers 11-7.
It was the seventh inning tonight that brought all four runs in the game. San Fran started things out on a 3-run homer from Edgar Renteria, which scored Cody Ross and Juan Uribe. In the bottom of the inning Nelson Cruz belted a solo home run to score the only run for the Rangers in the losing effort.
Starting pitcher Lincecum, who delivered an MVP worthy performance, got his second win of the series and was nearly flawless save for the seventh inning run. Lincecum bested Lee and the Rangers offense, giving up only three hits and two walks while recording 10 strikeouts.
After contributing 3 RBIs, Renteria was named MVP and was emotional upon receiving the award. The veteran short stop was injured through most of the season, but if sports teaches us anything it’s not how you start but how you finish. And Renteria, who may retire following this season, will end his career on top as World Series champion and Tournament MVP.
As a franchise, tonight marks the 6th World Series title for the Giants. Until this season, the team had held the third longest championship drought in the Major League at 56 years. San Francisco fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the “torture” is over and the Giants are bringing The Commissioner’s Trophy back home to the city by the Bay.
