The Giants are headed to the National League Championship Series following their 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday afternoon. The Giants are the first team since the Boston Red Sox in 2003 to come back in a Division Series after dropping the first two games. Perhaps even more impressively, San Francisco won all three of their games in Cincinnati.
Buster Posey's grand slam capped off a six-run fifth inning for the Giants. Gregor Blanco singled to lead off the inning, and he was brought home with a triple by Brandon Crawford. After Matt Cain grounded out for the first out, Angel Pagan reached on a fielding error from shortstop Zack Cozart and brought home Crawford. Marco Scutaro walked and Pablo Sandoval singled to load the bases for the NL MVP candidate. It was a no-doubt shot to left field that silenced a capacity crowd.
The Reds battled back in the following innings. Brandon Phillips hit a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to four, 6-2. Ryan Ludwick then hit a solo homer to begin the sixth and the score became 6-3.
San Francisco's bullpen really settled in after Cain departed following six innings of work. The Reds put two on base with two outs in the eighth, but Pagan made a diving catch in center field to prevent any runs from scoring.
Sergio Romo remained in the game to pitch the ninth inning. He forced Phillips to pop up for the first out, but a Cozart walk and Joey Votto single made things very interesting. Ryan Ludwick singled to left to make the score 6-4. On the 11th pitch of the at bat, Jay Bruce popped a slider up into left field for the second out. With Scott Rolen at the plate – the same player who committed Game 3's crucial error in the 10th inning – struck out on a slider to end the game.
Next up, the Giants will face either the St. Louis Cardinals or Washington Nationals in the National League Championship Series.