Brandon Belt’s homer gives SF Giants epic, 18-inning victory

[NBachers]

Source: SF Gate

Washington – Game 2 of this Division Series was epic. It will go down as a marathon pitching classic, the longest game by time in postseason history, a contest that will not be forgotten in the jumble of October memories.

It was seasoned with a successful last-gasp San Francisco rally in the ninth inning to tie the game, questionable decisions by both managers and a critical call by video replay umpires in New York that sent this game spinning deep into a frigid Saturday night.

It also will go down as the Giants’ 10th consecutive postseason victory, matching the third-longest streak in big-league history, and the night Brandon Belt truly arrived.

Belt’s leadoff homer in the 18th inning, on a 3-2 pitch from right-hander Tanner Roark, gave the Giants a 2-1 victory and a lead of two games to none in the best-of-five series, with two chances to capture the series at AT&T Park.


Read more: http://blog.sfgate.com/giants/2014/10/04/brandon-belts-homer-gives-sf-giants-epic-18-inning-victory/

[elleng]

1. And its Roark's birthday.

[Sophiegirl]

2. Yeah, yeah yeah

Giants take two from us. We go to Cali and take two from you next. Makes for some fun baseball.

Never should have taken JZ out of the game. Bad management. Bad, bad, bad.

I was at the game. Over 6 hours!!! Wow!!!

[elleng]

3. And its COLD!

Hope you're OK, and hope you're correct.

[Brother Buzz]

22. The game was so long it changed seasons

The game started with what had been a pleasant Indian summer afternoon and turned into a brutally cold autumn night.

There just might be a Yogism in there somewhere.

[elleng]

23. Right,

but wrong borough!

Turned 'cooling' off today, 'heating' on.

[NBachers]

4. I could never imagine being someone who'd leave a game like that before it's over.

Well, I guess if there's cranky kids or something that needs attention back home.

Congratulations on being there for the entire game. You're a part of baseball history now.

And, listening on the radio, I was struck at how evenly matched these two teams were. The game could easily be still going on.

[Sophiegirl]

14. Freezing!!

It was really cold. And looooooooong!!!! But I think the ride home felt longer.

[StevieM]

9. Seriously. Zimmerman had set down the previous 20 batters.

And this was coming after a no hitter.

Obviously we will never know for sure, but I think JZ would have gotten the 27th out.

I've got to give Bruce Bochy credit for trusting Petit with the game. He threw 6 shutout innings. He gave up 4 walks, but they never pulled him. At the end of the day, Bochy trusted him. I wish Matt Williams had trusted Zimmerman after one lousy walk to Panik, a guy having a great series.

I can't believe that game went for 18 innings.

[NBachers]

13. Yup- I was feeling a bit shaky about Petit, but Bochy doesn't let the winds blow him around.

[olddad56]

18. I wsa feeling very secure with Petit out there..

he has had some quality starts out there. The pitcher who made me feel shaky was Affledt in the inning that he pitched. Hudson also pitched very well.

[BadGimp]

25. Zimmerman was ON FIRE and DOMINATING!

[panader0]

15. As a life long Giants fan I agree that Zimmerman shouldn't have been pulled.

He is a fine pitcher. Hudson and Petit for the Giants as well.
And MadBum will pitch for the Giants next.

[olddad56]

16. Washington might take the 2 in SF, but they might be done after Monday nights game.

Nobody knows what will happen, that is why they play the games. Personally I think it will be over after Mondays game, but if the Nats win Monday, I think it will come back to DC. Everyone has an opinion.

[yuiyoshida]

5. YES YES YES

[NBachers]

6. Great pictures, yuiyoshida! I'd love it if you could represent DU at next week's games.

[yuiyoshida]

7. BOOM!

It be great to go...

[NBachers]

8. I watched that one a few times - Belt really lived up to his name, didn't he?

What a beautiful hit. Great sound and visuals.

Look how he squares his foot on each base and home plate.

[Art_from_Ark]

24. Whoa-- is that you under SF 1?

[yuiyoshida]

27. Yeah I was caught in a TV replay home run

Last edited Wed Oct 8, 2014, 01:33 AM - Edit history (1)

I go often...

Me under the Buster Posey sign.. He's my favorite and I like
Travis Ishikawa and Brandon Belt!

[StevieM]

28. Wow!! Awesome pictures!! (eom)

[yuiyoshida]

29. Wish I could afford post season play...

no way will I be able to go till next year ... but will root on twitter!

[StevieM]

31. Congratulations to your team. But I am so pissed that the Nats blew it. As I wrote below,

it was crazy to pull Zimmerman in Game 2. And there was no reason not to play Strasburg today.

[Xithras]

10. Here's hoping they can keep up the show for the home crowd!

It's an even numbered year. '10, '12, '14. I BELIEVE!

[yuiyoshida]

20. gonna be crazy!!!

[Cartoonist]

11. I would like to go to the game

But I have no ticket. PM me if anyone feels charitable.

[C Moon]

12. 18 innings, wow!

[unblock]

26. meh. what's so special about a double-header?

[alcibiades_mystery]

17. I watched the first nine innings, watched a movie with my wife, then watched the last four!

Crazy game.

Petit was masterful in 14, 15, 16, 17 (I caught the tail-end of the bottom of the 14th after the movie).

[Duer 157099]

19. Petit scared the bejeebus out of me in his first inning

and I was flabbergasted when he came back for a second. But... he got the job done. Good thing I wasn't the manager!

And yeah, pulling Zimmerman out like that was a boneheaded move, but I have to say I'm glad it happened.

[lucca18]

21. What a game!

I was exhausted after listening to that game!
I was somewhat worried when Bochy brought in Hunter Strickland, but Bochy
Knew what he was doing!

[StevieM]

30. And....they screwed up again!! If you are pitching Zimmerman in Game 5, and Strasburg is available,

then why not put him in for the 7th?

The Cardinals just won. They beat Kershaw and the Dodgers. And you can't really fault Mattingly for sticking with Kershaw in the 7th, given how well he was pitching. The Cards just went out and beat him. Twice.

But the Nationals beat themselves, at least in part. The Giants are a good team but the Nationals could have won this thing with a couple of common sense decisions.

So I hear Ron Gardenhire is available?