Beginning the top of the ninth, Derek Holland was able to bounce back from his disastrous Game 2 appearance by throwing a scoreless inning. After walking the only three Giants he faced in Game 2, he walked Travis Ishikawa to lead off, but he then struck out Edgar Renteria, and Nate Schierholtz and Andres Torres made easy outs to take this 4-0 game into the bottom of the ninth.
World Series Game 4, Giants Vs. Rangers: Brian Wilson Seals The Deal
And in the ninth, sure enough, Brian Wilson came in to relieve the mega-effective Madison Bumgarner. Even though it wasn't a save situation, there are no saves in the playoffs. Only wins. And Bruce Bochy was in no mood to take chances.
The first batter Wilson faced was Elvis Andrus, and Andrus sent a line drive the other way. Schierholtz had it the whole way, though, and retreated a few steps to make the catch.
The next batter was Michael Young, and Wilson struck him out swinging on a 2-2 outside fastball that clocked in at 96 miles per hour.
That brought up Josh Hamilton as the Rangers' final hope, but Hamilton wasn't able to extend the game. Hamilton lasted just three pitches and struck out on a high fastball when he went around on a check swing.
Wilson's perfect inning sealed a 4-0 shutout for the Giants - only the Rangers' second home shutout of the season. This series is now three games to one in San Francisco's favor, and Monday's Game 5 will see a Game 1 rematch of Tim Lincecum vs. Cliff Lee.
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