MLB: A Retrospective Of October 2014, NLDS B
(originally written October 2014)
NLWC: SF/PIT ALWC: OAK/KC NLDS A: LA/STL NLDS B: SF/WAS ALDS A: KC/LAA ALDS B: DET/BAL NLCS: SF/STL ALCS: KC/BAL WS: SF/KC
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I've seen this happen before—but never with so much at stake. After Barrett's WP scored Panik, Posey moved to third and Pence to second. With the count now 3-1 on Sandoval, Washington opted to walk him to set up the force. But Barrett totally airmailed his catcher, and this ball also went to the backstop! It could have been total disaster for the Nats, but Ramos was able to recover and throw out Posey trying to score—although some felt Barrett illegally blocked the plate.
Here, in Part 4 of our 2014 MLB Postseason retrospective, we'll revisit the National League Division Series (SF/WAS).
Much like Brandon Belt's tough take vs. Pittsburgh, Pence's hustle play will be lost to history but played no small role in San Francisco's victory. Giants fans know Pence never takes a play off, and in the 4th, Nats fans also found out when Pence's pure hustle on a double-play ball set up a scoring chance for SF. He stole second and soon scored on a Belt single, putting the Giants up two. Significant, considering they only won by a single run.