Full disclosure: When I started writing this update, it was all about how Lance Lynn is really good and he probably should have been given a start in the Division Series and he's pitching really well and he's going to beat the Giants in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.
Giants break through with big 2-out rally, trail 6-4 in 5th
That was about five minutes ago, when the Cardinals were still beating the Giants 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Since then, the Giants have gotten right back into the game with a two-out rally, highlighted by four hits in a row, that narrowed the Cardinals’ comfortable 6-0 lead to a distinctly uncomfortable 6-4.
Marco Scutaro opened the inning with a single, but Lynn looked in control as he struck out Pablo Sandoval and retired Buster Posey on a fly-out. But then came the line drives. Hunter Pence (single). Brandon Belt (single). Gregor Blanco (triple). Brandon Crawford (double).
Aubrey Huff pinch hit for the Giants' pitcher. Lynn walked him on five pitches. And with that, Lance Lynn was finished. He hasn't lost a game since the 7th of September. He won't lose this one. But with a fourth-inning exit, he can't win it, either.
Joe Kelly came in to pitch, and Angel Pagan sent his first pitch up the middle on the ground. Second baseman Daniel Descalso saved at least one run by making a diving stop, then flipping to Pete Kozma for the fielder's choice.
Still, what looked like a laugher is now a nail-biter. We've got five innings left, a two-run difference on the scoreboard, and both teams' bullpens in play. Speaking of which, Tim Lincecum's in to pitch the top of the fifth...
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