Giants win NLDS on Barrett bounce 3-2!

Aaron Barrett's wild pitch in the seventh inning allowed Joe Panik to score from third with the game winning run and give the San Francisco Giants a 3-2 win and with it the NLDS three games to one over the heavily favored Washington Nationals.
The Giants had scored two runs in the second inning after Gregor Blanco walked in a run and Joe Panik's grounder to second scored another run,but Washington trimmed the lead to one before tying the game on a titanic blast by Bryce Harper that landed in McCovey Cove on the fly off Hunter Strickland in the top of the seventh.
The stage was then set for the game winning run on the Aaron Barrett wild pitch that sent the Giants in the NLCS and the St.Louis Cardinals on Friday night (I think)

Giant Steps

1) So the Giants won this game scoring their runs on a walk,a groundout and a wild pitch,
As much as I hate to say it,this series was lost by the Nationals more than won by the Giants.
Looking at especially games two and four,the Nationals mistakes did more for this series than anything.

2) Especially former Giant (and Indian) Matt Williams,who made the questionable decision to pull Jordan Zimmermann in game two and then brought in rookie Aaron Barrett,who had control issues at times this season in the situation that ended their season.
The former Hagerstown Suns uncorked the wild pitch that allowed one run to score and almost allowed another because he threw the ball over the head of Wilson Ramos on an intentional walk.
Only an extremely fortunate bounce off the backstop to Ramos saved Barrett,who narrowly nipped Buster Posey at the plate.
Not a series to remember for the rookie manager in Washington...

3) As long time readers know I'm not a fan of Ryan Vogelsong going back to his days in Pittsburgh and I was concerned about his starting such a big game,but Vogelsong gave the Giants more than they could have asked for over five and two thirds.
Vogelsong allowed just one run and gave the Giants a chance to win,all that I could have hoped for....

4) I dislike Bryce Harper as most of you should know,but I can see talent and his blast off Hunter Strickland was to be admired as it went into McCovey Cove on the fly.
Simply phenomenal bat speed against someone that throws as hard as Strickland.
What I don't admire is his attitude.
Obviously,there is something between Harper and Strickland as both times that Harper took Strickland over the wall,Harper was offering remarks toward Strickland both as he rounded the bases and yelling from the dugout.
Combine that with the "Devout Mormon"'s language in the dugout (bad enough that the telecast was silent for ten seconds) and I'll pass on the sainting of St.Bryce.
I watched his pious act in Hagerstown,so this is not new to me.
I'm not anti-cursing (as anyone that knows me knows),but I'm pretty strongly anti-hypocrite....

5) The saving grace for Ryan Vogelsong?
Hunter Pence's tremendous catch against the right field wall.
Pence saved runs with that catch that would changed the complexion of the game,of not won it for Washington.
Pence seems to do things like that when they are least expected...

6) The Giants just aren't getting enough offense and though it was enough to get by the Nationals,if they want to get by a team that wins big games-the Giants are going to have to get the wood burning.
Michael Morse returning for the Cardinals series will hopefully boost the offense,but the current offense isn't good enough to win.,.

7) Well,I'm glad my prediction was wrong and now here come the Cardinals again after their dumping of the hated Dodgers.
In many ways,these two teams are a lot alike,a few really good players,good pitching and a knack for getting the most out of guys that never to be as good elsewhere.
Just have a feeling that things even out this year-Cardinals in six.