Giants ride Vogey to commanding 3-0 lead

If the Detroit Tigers were looking to get hot, the last thing they needed was for the first-pitch temperature to be 47 degrees.

Facing Ryan Vogelsong didn’t help, either.

It wasn’t a flawless start for the man they call Vogey, but it got the job done. 5-2/3 innings pitched, five hits, four walks and just three strikeouts.

Vogelsong, though, kept the Tigers off the scoreboard, which was the most important thing as the Giants shut out the Tigers 2-0 to move within one win of their second World Series crown in three years.

Vogelsong got off to a rough start, walking Quintin Berry with one out. Miguel Cabrera followed with a single that got past Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Crawford.

But Vogelsong continued the Giants’ dominance of Prince Fielder, getting him to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Giants struck first on a Gregor Blanco triple that hit off the base of the wall in deep  — deep — right center field that allowed Hunter Pence to score. Pence walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Anibal Sanchez.

Blanco came in on a Brandon Crawford single that fell in front of a hard-charging Austin Jackson to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. Crawford took second after Jackson completely whiffed on the ball.

After the game, Crawford talked with CSN Bay Area about being one win away:

“It’s a dream come true so far. Growing up, it’s exactly where I want to be.”

On his RBI hit:

“It’s always fun to contribute. Driving in the run early felt great. Being able to finally drop one in there was fun.”

On Vogelsong’s journey:

“It’s inspiring. Coming back from Japan, maybe being closed out of baseball, and coming out here and being 3-0 in the postseason, it’s amazing.”

The Giants accomplished one of their early goals: Take the Detroit crowd out of the game.

The next big moment in the game came in the bottom of the fifth when the Tigers loaded the bases with one out and Berry and Cabrera coming up.

Just when Vogelsong seemed to be unraveling, pitching coach Dave Righetti paid a visit to the mound. His words of wisdom worked as Berry struck out and Cabrera popped out to shortstop, keeping the game at 2-0.

After the game, Fox’s Chris Myers talked to Vogelsong and asked how he got out of so many jams:

“Just made pitches. I knew my stuff was pretty good. I felt like it might have been better than the two games against St. Louis. I hit Buster’s glove.”

CSN Bay Area caught up with Vogelsong a little later and asked him about how he’s feeling:

“I’ve been waiting for this moment since I was five years old. I was amped.”

Tim Lincecum won’t win the World Series MVP, but he should get some votes. After coming in to clean up Vogelsong’s mess with two outs in the sixth, Lincecum was untouchable for 2-1/3 innings, striking out three and allowing zero hits.

Lincecum’s bullpen alter-ego is, dare I say it, freaky good.

CSN Bay Area asked Vogelsong about Lincecum’s performance:

“He’s been phenomenal all season. The stuff he’s bringing out of the bullpen is electric. He definitely steps up his game when the bright lights are on.”

Matt Cain will have a chance to close out the series Sunday night. Vogelsong has confidence in The Horse:

“It’s Matt’s turn tomorrow, and I expect him to go out there and do his thing. He’s our ace.”