The San Francisco Giants took a giant step by defeating the Detroit Tigers 2-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 series lead. The series now shifts back to Detroit.

Wednesday was much more of a pitching duel between the two teams. Doug Fister and Madison Bumgarner went back and forth until Hunter Pence scored in the seventh inning. Bumgarner pitched seven scoreless innings and his bullpen backed him up. Pence and Brandon Crawford knocked in the Giants runs tonight.

The Tigers have been out of whack after Justin Verlander was hit hard Wednesday night when Pablo Sandoval hit three home runs. Either the Tigers appear to be too rested or out of gas. The Tigers had six days off before opening at San Francisco on Wednesday.

Usually Detroit doesn’t have pitching problems, and especially not Verlander. He gave up six hits and five runs in four innings Wednesday. Doug Fister had a better outing for Detroit after he gave the Tigers six innings and gave up four hits and a run last night.

Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are off to a slow start and are a combined 2 for 11 with one RBI, two walks, and a strikeout in the last two games. These two are another reason for the Tigers slump.

Meanwhile, San Francisco is clicking on all cylinders after their offensive explosion in game seven of the NLCS to close out the St. Louis Cardinals. They have been led by the Kung Fu Panda, or Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval joined Babe Ruth (twice), Albert Pujols, and Reggie Jackson to homer three times in a playoff game. He went 4 for 4 Wednesday and 1 for 3 yesterday with a walk.

The Giants closer Sergio Romo is also a big factor in their 2-0 series lead. He is closing out games like Francisco Rodgriguez in 2002 when the Los Angeles Angels won the World Series.

The Giants and Tigers play at Detroit on Saturday at 7:00 CDT. Ryan Vogelsong pitches for the Giants against Anibal Sanchez for the Tigers.

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