World Series Game 5: San Francisco Giants Win the Title
It's over.
The San Francisco Giants have beaten the Texas Rangers 3-1 in Game 5 of the World Series, taking the best-of-seven series 4-1.
Not many people predicted the Giants would win, and nobody would have predicted at the beginning of the year that they would be holding the World Series Trophy.
It is the first World Series Championship for the Giants since 1954, when the team was still in New York.
Edgar Renteria was named the MVP after delivering a three-run home run in the seventh inning, and Tim Lincecum was dominant once again in winning his second game of the Series, besting Cliff Lee of Texas in both of their head-to-head matchups.
Bruce Bochy proved that he knows how to handle a team that wasn't loaded with superstars.
An incredible and surprising run comes to and end.
Starting Pitchers
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Tim Lincecum stymied Texas through seven innings, allowing a solo home run to Nelson Cruz for the lone run of the game for the Rangers.
Lincecum pitched eight innings, allowing three hits and striking out 10. He gave up just two walks.
He won Games 1 and 5 and beat Cliff Lee in both outings. Lee hadn't lost a game in the postseason in his career.
It can't be understated the jobs Matt Cain did in Game 2 or Madison Bumgarner did in Game 4 for the Giants, either.
Grade: A+
Hitting: Few and Far Between, But Perfect When It Mattered
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It always seemed that the Giants came up with the biggest hits when they needed them the most.
And different players seemed to contribute throughout the postseason.
Cody Ross, Buster Posey and Edgar Renteria in Games 2 and 5 came up with the biggest for the Giants, who will be spraying champagne for the next few hours.
Grade: A+
Fielding: Giants Get It Done Behind Lincecum
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Solid defense behind dominant starting pitching is what every team strives for in the postseason, and the Giants certainly came through with both.
They had the timeliest hitting performances from several players, and it added up to a perfect recipe for postseason success for the Giants.
Defense was a critical factor in the outcome, as it helped to give the Giants their first World Series title since 1954.
Grade: A
Clutch Performances: Edgar Renteria Does It Again
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Edgar Renteria smacked a three-run home run with two outs in the seventh inning for the first runs of the game.
Renteria took a 2-0 pitch to deep left field of Cliff Lee, who had looked untouchable.
Renteria also delivered a home run and a two-run single in Game 2 for the Giants.
And if you put on your "way back" cap, Renteria was the hero in the 1997 World Series for the Florida Marlins, coming up with the Series-winning hit then.
He's proven to be pretty clutch on a couple of occasions now, even though he's in the twilight of his career.
Grade: A
Bullpen: Brian Wilson Slams Door on Rangers Season
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Tough all season, Brain Wilson wasn't about to back down in Game 5.
In his first save opportunity, Wilson retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
When you have a dominant closer on the back end of a stellar starting pitching performance, it sure makes things much easier.
Grade: B+ (Would be higher, but he only pitched once)
Hitting With Runners in Scoring Position: Giant At Bats for G-Men
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San Francisco made the most of key opportunities when it needed to.
In Game 5, the Giants didn't have anyone reach second base until the seventh inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, Edgar Renteria provided all the offense they would need with a three-run home run.
That's the definition of clutch.
Grade: A+
Managerial Moves: Ron Washington Makes Critical Mistake
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Runners on second and third, two outs, and first base open for Edgar Renteria against Cliff Lee in the seventh inning.
Aaron Rowand, who hadn't played yet in the World Series, is on deck.
Washington elects to pitch to Renteria, who burned the Rangers in Game 2.
Mistake.
Fan Support: Rangers Fans Got Quiet in a Hurry
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It wasn't enough that Tim Lincecum had silenced the Rangers bats through six innings.
Fans in Arlington still had plenty to cheer about with Cliff Lee silencing the Giants bats, as well as trying to rally the Rangers to keep the Series alive.
Things got quiet in a hurry in the seventh, however, when the Giants scoring threat turned into three runs with one swing of the bat.
Broadcast: Buck, McCarver Stay Strong
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Say what you want about Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
The two have certainly taken their lumps along the way, but both are still among the best in the business.
McCarver is the top baseball analyst, and has been for some time. He offers tremendous insight into the game.
Buck, with his wry wit, is a perfect complement.
I think these guys do an outstanding job year after year.
Grade: B+
Conclusion: Can Giants Repeat in 2011?
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How this team came together is beyond anyone's belief. Bruce Bochy pulled all the right strings during the postseason and deserves all of the credit for getting a bunch of low-profile players to reach the ultimate peak in sports.
Dominant starting pitching, led by Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, was the driving force behind this team all season.
We also saw the emergence of the next great starter in Madison Bumgarner and a truly clutch performance by Edgar Renteria.
Buster Posey sure didn't handle the pitching staff like a rookie typically could down the stretch, and Aubrey Huff found new life.
Can the Giants do it again in 2011?
I say no. The stars aligned perfectly for this team this year, but don't count on a repeat.
