Giants, Tigers scoreless after five innings in Game 2
SAN FRANCISCO -- Detroit and San Francisco were scoreless after five innings of Game 2 of the World Series, as Tigers right-hander Doug Fister and Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner both were working on two-hit shutouts Thursday night at AT&T Park.
After being removed from the Giants' rotation following a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, Bumgarner was markedly better this time.
The 23-year-old had six strikeouts and retired the side in order in the first, third and fifth innings. He entered the night 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA in two postseason starts this year.
Fister had three strikeouts and survived a scary moment in the second inning when he was struck in the side of the head by a line drive off the bat of Giants left fielder Gregor Blanco.
Blanco's ball went into center field for a single, and Fister then walked Brandon Crawford to load the bases.
However, Bumgarner popped out to the shortstop to end the inning, beginning a stretch of 10 consecutive batters set down by Fister.
The Tigers also missed a chance to score in the second inning after Prince Fielder was hit by a pitch to start the inning. The big first baseman tried to score from first base on Delmon Young's double to left field but was thrown out at home, with Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro making a strong relay after taking a throw from Blanco.
The Giants lead the series 1-0 after winning 8-3 on Wednesday night in Game 1, when third baseman Pablo Sandoval tied a World Series record by hitting three home runs. Sandoval was 0-for-2 in his first two at-bats in Game 2, flying out in the first inning and grounding out in the third.
The series shifts to Detroit after a travel day Friday. Game 3 is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. ET Saturday night, with Ryan Vogelsong pitching for the Giants against the Tigers' Anibal Sanchez.
