The San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the 2014 MLB World Series Championship, with a dominating 7-1 win at Kauffman Stadium last night, ending Royals 8-0 postseason winning streak. The "Fall Classic" Game 2 will begin tonight at 5:07 p.m. PT, and fans can watch the game online by accessing the live stream links below - free for subscribers. FOX's telecast, including pregame coverage, will begin at 4:30 p.m. PT.
Will the Royals come out swinging tonight? Will they be able to change the tide after losing in a devastating loss in the World Series opener? Will the Royals be able to find their slingshot and stones to knock off the overpowering Giants? Or will the Giants continue their championship run and record their third championship within just five seasons?
In Game 2, veteran Jake Peavy, who pitched for 2014 World Series winning team Boston Red Sox, will start for the Giants against Royals rookie Yordano Ventura on Wednesday in Game 2 at Kauffman Stadium.
In Game 1, the Giants took the lead early with their batters, bringing home three runners in first inning, secured the win with a pair of runs in fourth, and sealed the winning opener with another pair in the seventh.
Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner broke his own MLB record to record a postseason road scoreless streak at 32 2/3 innings. His pitching dislodged the Royals' ability to steal bases, which has been the highest in the regular season and in the postseason.
Royals starting pitcher James Shields lasted just three batters into the fourth inning, allowing five runs and seven hits.
Kansas City manager Ned Yost acknowledged that Shields wasn't at his best.
"He was laboring at times with the secondary stuff," Yost said, according to MLB.com. "Normally, when he's really, really good, he's spotting his fastball well, and his changeup is dynamite. He was really struggling to command his changeup tonight."
San Francisco got their 16th victory in the 18 postseason games after handling the Royals, who were joining their first World Series since 1985. If Giants win the best-of-seven series, they would become only the second National League team to capture three World Series title in five seasons, joining St. Louis Cardinals (1942, '44 and '46).
Bumgarner, 25, joined other legendary pitchers to win three World Series games by age 26: Jim Palmer, Babe Ruth, Ernie Shore, Smokey Joe Wood and Matthewson, according to MLB.com.
Giants had five hits in the first inning. The biggest one was Hunter Pence's first homer of this postseason. In the fourth inning, SF added another pair of runs.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy decided to remove left-handed Travis Ishikawa for Juan Perez, a right-handed batter, when left-hander Danny Duffy replaced Shields. Perez bunted the ball, and went to the first base, loading the bases.
According to Bochy, that bunt was the decisive factor that resulted in the Giants overwhelming victory over the Royals.
"I know it's early in the game, but with the left-hander out there, I just decided to hit for Ishi," said Bochy. "[Perez] is a good bunter, so you try to put a little more pressure on them. He laid down a perfect bunt. ... Really, it was a win-win for me. ... I'm putting my best defense out there, and putting a guy up there who can advance runners."
Radio Stations
San Francisco Giants - KNBR 680, ESPN Radio, KTRB 860
Kansas City Royals - KCSP 610, Royals Radio Network, ESPN Radio
World Series Schedule (Dates, Start Time)
Game 1 - Tuesday, Oct. 21 @ 8 p.m. ET at Kansas City Kauffman Stadium - Giants win, 7-1
Game 2 - Wednesday, Oct. 22 @ 8 p.m. ET at Kansas City Kauffman Stadium
Game 3 - Friday, Oct. 24 @ 8 p.m. ET at San Francisco AT&T Park
Game 4 - Saturday, Oct. 25 @ 8 p.m. ET at San Francisco AT&T Park
Game 5* - Sunday, Oct. 26 @ 8 p.m. ET at San Francisco AT&T Park
Game 6* - Tuesday, Oct. 28 @ 8 p.m. ET at Kansas City Kauffman Stadium
Game 7* - Wednesday, Oct. 29 @ 8 p.m. ET at Kansas City Kauffman Stadium.
*only if necessary
Live Stream: MLB.tv (requires subscription)
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