2014 Year in Review: October Edition

Bumgarner puts on performance for ages; Giants win World Series

Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the fifth inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

For the third time in four years, the San Fransisco Giants had reached the World Series and looked to capture their third World Series championship since 2010. They got to the World Series by defeating the defending National League pennant winners St. Louis Cardinals in five games. The Giants would move on to face the Cinderella team of the postseason, the Kansas City Royals after they had defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS to reach their first World Series in 29 years. Game 1 saw Madison Bumgarner face off against the Royals James Shields, and while many thought both pitchers would limit the offenses of each team, the Giants lit up “Big Game James” for five runs in just three innings of work. Bumgarner meanwhile tossed seven innings, only allowing three hits, one run and five strikeouts, as his team defeated the Royals 7-1. The Royals would come back to win the next two games and take over the series lead 2-1, but in Game 4 the Giants lit up the Royals pitching staff once again scoring 11 runs and defeating the Royals 11-4 to tie up the series at 2-2. Bumgarner took the mound for Game 5 in one of the best World Series performances we’ve seen in quite some time, the star tossed a complete game shutout as the Giants defeated the Royals 5-0. Bumgarner became the first pitcher since Josh Beckett in 2003 to toss a complete game shutout in a World Series, as his performance gave the Giants a 3-2 lead in the series. The Royals would come back to win Game 6 which would set up a winner take all matchup in Game 7 as Tim Hudson faced off against the Royals Jeremy Guthrie. Hudson would not make it past the second inning as he gave up two runs early on off three hits, for Gutheire he wouldn’t get passed the fourth inning as he gave up three runs and giving the Giants the lead. After two shut out innings from Jeremy Affeldt, Bumgarner came out from the bullpen and tossed five scoreless innings to clinch another World Series victory for the Giants. Bumgarner was named the World Series MVP for his performance throughout the series, and many agree that his performance in Game 7 is one of the best performances in MLB history.