Silencing all the skeptics, the Giants last night beat the New York Mets in a dramatic, mostly scoreless game with season-ending stakes. And boy, did they do it with style. Ace pitcher Madison Bumgarner shut out the opposing team, pitching all nine innings, and Conor Gillaspie completely took the air out of Citi Field with a 9th inning three-run homer, as KRON 4 and the Chronicle recap.
World, meet Conor Gillaspie.
— MLB (@MLB) October 6, 2016
He just set up a @SFGiants-@Cubs #NLDS. https://t.co/Q4F1uxVpqA #WildCard pic.twitter.com/wcGDJ0VNnc
Before that point, the game had been a scoreless nail-biter — with fans at local bars around the city on the edge of their seats. "A pitcher's duel, we knew it was going to happen," one such fan, Kim McKeon, told ABC 7. "I can't believe that we're watching this. I just want a hit so we can have some fun."
And fun was definitely had.
The crowd went crazy at @SFPedrosCantina as @SFGiants smacked a #homerun #KTVU @Mets #mlb #Giants #BeliEVEN pic.twitter.com/MfCHmHHUPI
— Paul Chambers (@PaulChambersTV) October 6, 2016
Local legend E-40 was even on hand in New York to celebrate.
"Bay Area boys Giants Mane." --@E40 #BeliEVEN | #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/tTPCbUyY1j
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) October 6, 2016
But the real star of the show was Gillaspie, and his teammates thanked him appropriately — with a beer shower.
THERE HE IS! #BeliEVEN | #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/bKxzg2bRj1
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) October 6, 2016
The Giants now advance to the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, a team with the best regular season record. If there was ever any doubt, last night proved that no one should count the Giants out (just don't ask Bumgarner any hard questions).
Madison Bumgarner: "Why you askin me all these hard questions?" Love me some Mad Bum. #BeliEVEN #SFGiants @Giants pic.twitter.com/mNcVFfxC6V
— Michael Kelly (@MichaelLKelly) October 6, 2016
Previously: In Even-Year Fashion, Giants Roar Back To Life And Clinch Wild Card Spot