Kansas City: Madison Bumgarner unleashed a pitching performance for the ages on Wednesday that cemented his place among World Series legends and established the San Francisco Giants as a Major League Baseball dynasty.
The 25-year-old left-hander, returning to the mound on a career-low two days’ rest after a complete-game triumph, fired five scoreless innings to give the Giants a 3-2 victory over Kansas City in the decisive game seven of the 110th World Series.
“This is as good as it gets. World Series. Game seven,” Bumgarner said. “It was definitely emotional. It has been an unbelievable year for us.”
Bumgarner baffled Royals batters to win the second and fifth games of the best-of-seven championship final, but San Francisco needed more of his magic when he entered in the fifth inning with the Giants nursing a lead that he would turn into their victory margin.
“He just went after them,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He just said, ‘if you’re going to beat me, you’re going to beat me with my best pitch’.”
After surrendering a single to Omar Infante, Bumgarner retired the next 14 Royals batters he faced until, one strike from victory, Alex Gordon hit a single that outfielder Gregor Blanco misplayed, allowing Gordon to reach third base.
Bumgarner, keeping his composure, induced a pop up that Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval gloved for the final out, touching off a huge celebration.
“You see Pablo under it. A little bit of relief, a little bit of excitement combined,” Bumgarner said. “You are just sitting there trying to figure out if it just really happened or not.
“But it was an awesome experience getting to be out there for the last out of game seven of the World Series. I’m thankful for my team believing in me and letting me stay out there.”
Credit Bochy, who shared an emotional hug with Bumgarner after their third crown together following titles in 2010 and 2012.
“I can’t remember too much about what I said except I love him and what a warrior he is,” Bochy said.
“I can’t believe what he has accomplished. He’s such a humble guy and we rode him pretty good. He’s a guy I think so much of. I had that kid when he was 20 and to watch him develop, that has been pretty special.”
For the World Series, “Mad Bum” went 2-0 and added a five-inning save in game seven, allowing only one run over 21 innings while striking out 17 batters and walking just one.
His 0.43 World Series earned-run average was the lowest of any hurler with at least 15 innings since Sandy Koufax of the 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers compiled a 0.38 ERA.
Bumgarner has allowed only one run in 36 career World Series innings, giving up 14 hits with five walks while striking out 31. His 0.25 World Series career ERA is the lowest of any player with at least 25 innings, beating the old mark of 0.36 by Jack Billingham from 1972-1976.
And his 52 2/3 innings pitched in this month’s play-offs is the most by any pitcher in major league history, eclipsing the old mark of 48 1/3 innings by Curt Schilling for Arizona in 2011.
“Truly amazing. Incredible what he did this post-season. And historic,” Bochy said. “We just got on his horse and rode it.”
But Bumgarner admitted as he walked away from reporters that even he has limits.
“I can’t lie to you anymore,” he said. “I’m a little tired now.”