(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) The bold headline in the top fold of today’s San Francisco Chronicle’s sports section clearly defines the end result of Tuesday night’s outcome.
It reads, “The gift of gaffe.”
True, the word “gaffe” refers to Cards’ reliever Randy Choate’s throwing error, which allowed the Giants to snatch a 5-4 win in Game 3 of the NLCS and take a 2-1 lead in the best of seven.
But the word that sticks out in this headline, and in my mind, is “gift.” A big, shiny gift with a ribbon.
For the Giants, they certainly weren’t about to refuse the package. After barreling out to a 4-0 lead after one inning, there certainly wasn’t much fun being had at this shindig as it progressed.
One lone Giants’ hit from innings two through nine, which is the party equivalent of having a scoop of ice cream plopped down on your plate of cake, not having a plastic utensil for consumption, and watching the dessert become a big, gloppy mess as the ice cream softens.
And in the process Tuesday, an early Giants’ edge had also melted, resulting in a 4-4 tie heading into extra innings. It’s enough to give fans of both teams a case of the sour belches.
Redbird Nation knows the end result, so there’s no need to rehash, but let’s just say that I haven’t seen too many birthday parties that has the cake and ice cream eaten AFTER the presents are opened.
Nope, the gifts come last.
To its orange and black-clad credit, those at AT & T Park fully recognize that NLCS Game 3 could have been easily re-labelled “The One That Got Away” or some overused sports derivative relating to a blown lead and subsequent loss.
Tuesday’s victors are fully aware that they “survived” Game 3, thanks, in part, to a gift.
Could an exchange present for the Redbirds be on the horizon, resulting in a series tie after four? We’ll soon find out later tonight.
Photo Credit: Brian Ledford
Tidbit from Tuesday: Following Game 3’s performance of the National Anthem (accompanied by a giant American flag that stretched across AT & T Park’s outfield,) players and staff for both squads that were lined up for introductions began to return to their respective benches.
According to San Francisco Chronicle scribe John Shea, only one player remained on the field until the flag was completely folded: the Cardinals’ Pete Kozma.
(KTVI/KPLR News Videographer Brian Ledford is in San Francisco, CA, covering NLCS Games 3, 4 & 5.)
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By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
