BSI Postseason Recap: Zito Does It All As Giants Salvage Series

After losing two straight to the Cardinals, it looked like the Giants season was over for all intents and purposes. However, they continued what they’ve done this entire postseason– played great with their backs against the wall– and salvaged this series with a win last night. The pitching matchup of big contract bust Barry Zito (15-8, 4.15) and breakout star Lance Lynn (18-7, 3.78) seemed to favor the Cardinals. However, it was Giants all the way based on the way the 34 year old Zito handled himself under pressure.

Oct 19, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito (75) looks for a signal during the first inning of game five of the 2012 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The pitching matchup was big in the first several innings, with Zito and Lynn both just nailing the opposition right and left. However, that all changed in the top of the fourth inning, starting when the Giants put two men on to start things off. They got a run when Lance Lynn made an error attempting to turn two, and three more in the inning on a two-run single by Brandon Crawford and even an RBI single by the pitcher, Barry Zito.

The Giants pretty much coasted on that fourth inning and, of course, Barry Zito. The Giants did get another run in the eighth inning when Pablo Sandoval wrapped a home run around the pole in right field. However, it would absolutely be Zito as MVP of this game as he wound up going 7.2 innings, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out six. He allowed no runs and neither did the bullpen in an incredibly important 5-0 win in Game 5.