It would be hard to find a game bigger than Game 1 of the World Series. Naturally, with James Shields taking the mound for the Kansas City Royals, much of the pregame discussion centered around whether the right-hander would be able to live up to his famous nickname – Big Game James.
If tonight was an indication – much like the rest of the 2014 postseason – the big games aren’t where Shields produces his best work.
Shields got himself into trouble early. Gregor Blanco led off the game with a line drive single to center field, before moving to second on a sac fly from Joe Panik. Buster Posey followed with a single to left field, moving Blanco along to third. Runners at the corners, one out, and Shields was set to face Pablo Sandoval – who mashed three home runs in Game 1 the last time the Giants were in the World Series.
Sandoval promptly doubled into the right field corner, allowing Blanco to score easily but Posey was thrown out trying to score on the play from first. With two outs in the inning and a full count, Hunter Pence ultimately had the big hit of the frame, launching a two run home run to center field. The Giants were up 3-0 before Madison Bumgarner would even step onto the mound.
The 2nd and 3rd innings went much smoother for Shields, as the Giants offered little resistance. The wheels completely fell off in the 4th.
Pence would lead off the frame with a double to left field. A wild pitch from Shields would let him move over to third before Brandon Belt would draw a walk. Shields’ demeanor was clearly changing on the hill, the frustrations starting to show. Michael Morse would single to center, scoring Pence, before the Royals would make a change – bringing Danny Duffy in from the bullpen.
Shields threw 70 pitches in his three+ innings of work, with just 39 of them strikes. He allowed five runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out one.