World Series notebook: Under no pressure, Hunter Strickland thrives on big stage

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the Giants roared through the National League playoffs, at least one of them struggled mightily. Hunter Strickland, the young relief pitcher, gave up four home runs in 41/3 innings against the Nationals and Cardinals, becoming the guy manager Bruce Bochy just couldn't afford to send to the mound in a pressure situation.

Tuesday's ninth inning was not a pressure situation, with the Giants up 7-1 over the Kansas City Royals, but it was the World Series, and Strickland was back in action on the biggest stage.

He came through with flying colors, striking out two in a one-two-three frame.

'It's huge,' Strickland said. 'Showing the confidence in me, that's an honor. I appreciate that. And I was excited to get back out there, especially in Game 1 of the World Series.'

Strickland said he felt no rust despite not having pitched since Oct. 12. He was gratified not just that he got the outs, but that one was against Kansas City's Eric Hosmer, a left-hander who has been one of his team's hottest hitters.

'It's awesome, especially after giving up a couple homers to lefties earlier this postseason,' Strickland said.

Bochy likes him because the kid throws heat — Strickland struck out Lorenzo Cain on fastballs of 97, 97 and 98 mph. But his final strike of the game, to Billy Butler? A curveball.

COME-THROUGH PANDA

If this is late October, Pablo Sandoval is probably knocking the ball all over the field.

The MVP of the 2012 World Series, Sandoval seems to be at it again in 2014. Against the Royals on Tuesday he was 2 for 5 with an RBI double. The Panda has now reached base safely in 24 consecutive postseason games dating back to Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS. That's the longest active stretch in Major League Baseball, tied for fourth-longest in MLB history and a Giants record.

'When he is on a tear, I feel like he's going 10 for 10 when he's up there,' San Francisco's Brandon Belt said. 'He can carry this team, and he's obviously doing that right now.'

THE BUMGARNER FILE

Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner is mounting an assault on Major League Baseball's postseason record book. Some of his more notable achievements, updated after Game 1:

Having shut out the Rangers in 2010 and the Tigers in 2012, Bumgarner began his World Series career with 21 scoreless innings. That's second in major league history to Christy Mathewson's 28.

Bumgarner's MLB-record string of consecutive scoreless postseason innings was finally snapped at 322/3 when Kansas City's Salvador Perez hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh.

MadBum matched Mathewson for most starts by a Giants pitcher in franchise history (11), and he passed Mathewson and Tim Lincecum for most wins in team history (6).

The big lefty set a major league record with his sixth consecutive postseason outing of seven or more innings pitched and seven or fewer baserunners allowed. He passed Bob Gibson (1967-68) and Mike Mussina (1997-2001).

POKY LITTLE POSEY

The Giants' Buster Posey was easily thrown out at home plate in the first inning on Sandoval's double when Royals second baseman Nori Aoki executed a perfect relay throw.

It was the third time this postseason that Posey has been gunned down at the plate.

Asked whether he was getting a little tired of it, Posey answered: 'Yes, I am. I think I've probably set a record this postseason.'