Ryan Vogelsong was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1998. After years of bouncing around the minors, a few seasons in Pittsburgh, and time in the Japanese league with two different teams, Vogelsong was starting in the World Series for the team that drafted him. He would not disappoint either, as Vogelsong, in conjunction with Tim Lincecum and Sergio Romo out of the bullpen, held the Detroit Tigers scoreless in their 2-0 victory.
The only runs scored in the game came in the second inning. With Hunter Pence on third base after a stolen base and a wild pitch, Gregor Blanco hit an Anibal Sanchez pitch to deep -- would have been a home run in all other parks -- center for a triple that scored Pence. After Hector Sanchez struck out looking, Brandon Crawford brought Blanco home on a single to center, and advanced to second on an error by Tigers' center fielder Austin Jackson. Angel Pagan ended the mini-rally by San Francisco with a groundout to first base.
Vogelsong pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five hits for no runs. Of his 104 pitches thrown, 60 were for strikes, totaling three strikeouts and four walks. The only true test Vogelsong faced was in the fifth inning when Detroit loaded the bases with one out. After striking out Quintin Berry, Vogelsong faced Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera. The pitcher would end the inning unscathed after Cabrera popped out to short.
In relief, two-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum, pitched 2.1 innings with one walk and three strikeouts; 22-of-32 pitches thrown were for strikes. Closer Sergio Romo followed Lincecum and earned his second save of the World Series.
The Giants are one win away from their second title in three years. Game 4 is on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. PT in Detroit. San Francisco will send Matt Cain to the hill. Detroit counters with Max Scherzer.