Giants Advance to NLDS on CG Shutout by MadBum; Gillaspie Gets Biggest Hit of His Career

Will the San Francisco Giants win their fourth World Series since 2010?

They took their first step tonight by beating the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card game on a complete game four hit shutout by Madison Bumgarner. It was a Deja Vu all over again. MadBum also threw a complete game four hit shutout in the 2014 NL Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Throw in MadBum's performance against the Kansas City Royals in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series and you have one of the best post-season pitchers in MLB history.

The Giants needed every bit of MadBum's pitching because they did not get a hit until the sixth inning. Mets starter Noah Syndergaard threw seven shutout innings striking out 10 batters. Addison Reed did his job in the eighth, but Mets closer Jeurys Familia didn't have his stuff in the ninth. He gave up a lead off double to Brandon Crawford, After striking out Angel Pagan, he walked Joe Panik in a tough at bat. If Familia had retired Panik he would have walked Conor Gillaspie and forced Giants manager Bruce Bochy to pinch hit for MadBum.

Instead Familia would have to face Gillapsie who would collect the biggest hit of his life with a three run home run to give the Giants a 3-0 lead. Gillaspie began his career with the Giants and had a cup of coffee with them when they won it in 2012. He had stints with the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels who let him go a year ago today. Gillaspie found himself back in a Giants uniform and playing third when Eduardo Nunez went down with an injury. It would be all they needed as MadBum retired the Mets three up and three down.

The Giants now advance to the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs which commences on Friday night. The Cubs are heavily favored, but given the Giants' post-season success they cannot be counted out.