Ishikawa’s Walk-Off Blast Sends Giants Into World Series
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Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images(SAN FRANCISCO) — Travis Ishikawa hit a three-run, walk-off home run in the ninth inning of Game Five of the NLCS Thursday to send the San Francisco Giants past the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-3, and into the World Series.
The Giants head to the Fall Classic, where they’ll meet the Kansas City Royals.
The game was tied 3-3 going into the ninth when the Cardinals sent Michael Wacha to the mound for the first time this postseason. It proved to be a bad decision. Wacha allowed a lead-off single to Pablo Sandoval and walked Brandon Belt before Ishikawa blasted the Giants to their third World Series in five seasons.
“These guys have been through it,” Giants skipper Bruce Bochy said. “They have been battle-tested and they know how to handle themselves on this type of stage, and then add to that the kids that we brought up, and then Ishikawa. I mean, what a great story.”
Madison Bumgarner pitched eight innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs and two walks while striking out five in the win. He was named the NLCS MVP.
The World Series begins Tuesday night in Kansas City. It will be the first time two teams that didn’t win 90 regular-season games meet in the Fall Classic.
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