Yordano Ventura rules Game 6, Game 7 of World Series is tonight

This was the Game Six Royals fans wanted to see: Lots of runs scored for the home team and the Giants getting shut out by the young Yordano Ventura. He just turned 23 in June and his poise in what is only his fourth post-season start was that of a much older player. Ventura didn’t get the decision in Game Two, but Tuesday Night he not only got the win, he made a statement about why he is the future of the Kansas City Royals pitching staff.

Claudia interviewing Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.
Claudia interviewing Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.

Ventura threw 100 pitches in seven scoreless innings. Over 60 of those pitches were 95 mph or faster. Four of his pitches were over 100 mph. Ventura stayed relaxed for all seven innings he was on the mound, even in the top of the third when he walked three straight batters, only to get out of the inning when his team turned a double play to end the inning.

Yordano Ventura gets to record his first post-season win and more importantly, his first World Series win.

The Royals scored 10 in the game, seven of those runs coming in the in 2nd inning. Their half of the inning lasted more than 30 minutes and it started with Alex Gordon leading off with a single and ending with Gordon and Salvador Perez coming to the plate for the second time.

First the Royals batters took Giants starter, Jake Peavy to town, scoring two runs while Peavy was still pitching. Giants manager pulled Peavy after the second Royals run came across the plate, replacing him with the usually reliable Yusmeiro Petit. The bases were loaded and the powerful Lorenzo Cain was at the plate. He hit a short single that scored Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar.

The next batter he faced was Eric Hosmer who hit a double that scored Nori Aoki and Lorenzo Cain. The designated hitter, Billy Butler came to the plate and doubled off Petit, scoring Hosmer.

the Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval during batting practice.
the Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval during batting practice.

Petit was finally able to record two outs on Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez. The Royals scored seven runs in that inning  and saw every batter come to the plate at least once. All but one got on base.

By the time the game ended every Royals batter had at least one hit.

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Besides having their pitchers take a pounding from the Royals bats, the Giants made some mistakes with their defense that allowed runners to either get on base or advance when the Giants could have recorded some outs. If the Giants hope to win Game Seven and the World Series, they will need to make better decision on defense and keep as many runners as possible from reaching first base.

Yordano Ventrua was nearly unhittable Tuesday Night, allowing just three hits in the seven innings he pitched. With the velocity he had it’s no wonder the Giants were unable to score. But tonight the Giants will have to score against the KC pitching staff, beginning with starter Jeremy Guthrie. KC manager Ned Yost will pull Guthrie if he needs to and what follows the KC starters is no picnic for opposing hitters: Kelvin Herrera, Brandon Finnegan, Jason Frasor and Greg Holland, who has given up only four hits and one run in this post-season and has an ERA of 1.00. Greg Holland is a legitimate closer who can and will lock down every ninth inning he pitches.

For the Giants veteran pitcher Tim Hudson gets the start, but for manager Bruce Bochy it’s all hands on deck for the final game of the season. That means their ace, Madison Bumgarner, is available to pitch three or more innings.

Yordano Ventura of the Kansas City Royals. He pitched seven scoreless innings Tuesday Night in Game Six, allowing just three hits.
Yordano Ventura of the Kansas City Royals. He pitched seven scoreless innings Tuesday Night in Game Six, allowing just three hits.

The Giants need to have another night at the plate like they did in Game Five, getting one, two or three runs in four or more innings. The Royals pitching won’t make it easy so they will have to find a way to beat the best bullpen in the major leagues.

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Game Seven will be tomorrow night and the starting pitcher for the Giants will be veteran Tim Hudson. For the Royals Jeremy Guthrie will take the mound.

At the beginning of the series I predicted the Royals will win it all, but both teams are very capable of becoming the 2014 World Series Champions. So get ready for the final game of the 2014 World Series and expect a very intense Game Seven.

All photos by Claudia Gestro