San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner was THE story of Game Five of the 2014 World Series, hurling a complete game, 5-0 shutout to give the Giants a three games to two lead as the Series heads back to the midwest for Game Six Tuesday night.
OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Kansas City Royals during Game Five of the 2014 World Series at A,T & T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. Bumgarner pitched a 4 hit, complete game shutout as the Giants took a three games to two lead in the best of seven series. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Since there was no “clinch” possible Sunday night, I was able to head upstairs and shoot overhead. I love shooting overhead, especially during big games such as the World Series. The vantage point is amazing, and there are very few, if any “dead spots” on the field.
OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: Billy Butler #16 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after being called out on strikes in the eighth inning of Game Five of the 2014 World Series at A,T &T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
You’re rarely blocked shooting up top. It’s not completely free of obstructions, though. When Hunter Pence and Pablo Sandoval celebrated rather emotionally to give Burgarner a bit more breathing room in the eighth inning, the home plate umpire was directly between my 500mm Nikon lens and the most of ensuing celebration.
OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: Hunter Pence #8 and Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after scoring in the eighth inning of Game Five of the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals at A,T & T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Fortunately, the MLB photos team had three other photographers in different positions around the ballpark, so even though I might not have had a clear angle, someone did.
OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: 43, 087 fans watch Game Five of the 2014 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals at A,T & T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Travis Ishikawa made a valiant diving effort on a drive hit by Omar Infante , which was exactly what the doctor ordered for all of us shooting upstairs on what turned out to be a wonderfully pleasant October evening.
OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: Travis Ishikawa #45 of the San Francisco Giants dives but cannot catch the drive hit by Omar Infante #14 of the Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning of Game Five of the 2014 World Series at A,T & T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: Travis Ishikawa #45 of the San Francisco Giants dives came up inches short and failed to catch a drive by Omar Infante #14 of the Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning of Game Five of the 2014 World Series at A,T & T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: A drive by Omar Infante #14 of the Kansas City Royals skips by the diving Travis Ishikawa #45 of the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning of Game Five of the 2014 World Series at A,T & T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Although Ishikawa may have missed on this play, the Giants, led by the 4 hit, 8 strikeout and NO walks performance by Bumgarner, surely didn’t miss a beat, setting the stage for their third world championship in 5 years Tuesday night at Kaufmann Stadium.
OCTOBER 26 – SAN FRANCISCO: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Kansas City Royals during Game Five of the 2014 World Series at A,T & T Park in San Francisco, California on October 26, 2014. Bumgarner pitched a 4 hit, complete game shutout as the Giants took a three games to two lead in the best of seven series. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Jake Peavy will be on the bump for the Giants as the Royals will put their 2014 season chances on the line with young Yordano Ventura. I have a feeling it’s gonna go seven games this year, and rightfully so. Both teams have had tremendous seasons, so should only fitting that it would come down to a winner take all game Wednesday night.
