The Skillz Report

Here, in Part 4 of our 2014 MLB Postseason retrospective, we'll revisit the National League Division Series (SF/WAS).

Hunter Pence's Hustle, Game 1

Much like Brandon Belt's tough take vs. Pittsburgh, Pence's hustle play will be lost to history but played no small role in San Francisco's victory. Giants fans know Pence never takes a play off, and in the 4th, Nats fans also found out when Pence's pure hustle on a double-play ball set up a scoring chance for SF. He stole second and soon scored on a Belt single, putting the Giants up two. Significant, considering they only won by a single run.

Bryce Harper's BOMB, Game 1

Harper's power was lacking for much of '14 but since getting healthy, he's again clearing fences. The 21-year-old ripped 10 of his 13 home runs in the final six weeks and carried that stroke into his 7th-inning at-bat vs. Giants RP Hunter Strickland. On a 2-1 count Harper unloaded—the solo blast landed in the third deck of Nationals Park and brought the crowd to life. (Two batters later, Asdrubal Cabrera also homered, doubling the excitement.)

Joe Panik's Diving Stop, Game 1

Jeremy Affeldt would relieve Strickland in the 7th, and face Nats OF Denard Span. On a 3-1 count, Span ripped one that looked headed for the outfield, but Panik intercepted it with a dive and retired Span to end the inning and silence a crowd that was poised to explode.

Rendon Perfect Vs. Hudson, Game 2

Veteran SP Tim Hudson gave the Giants his best effort in weeks, going 7.1 innings while surrendering one run on seven hits—four to young Nats 3B Anthony Rendon. Every one was solid; Hit #2 drove in Washington's lone run, and Hit #4 chased Hudson from the game. Somewhat reminiscent of the famous Catfish Hunter '78 playoff game when he shut down all Royals not named George Brett...who ripped three homers off him.

Williams Pulls Zim, Game 2

The rookie manager will be second-guessed until the end of time for not sticking with starter Jordan Zimmermann in the 9th inning. Z had been wholly dominant thru 8.2 innings, and his walk to Panik was just the 4th baserunner he'd allowed. Still, Williams pulled Zimmermann in favor of closer Drew Storen...and it backfired.

Zimmermann's Domination, Game 2

He looks about 12 years older than he really is, but Zimmermann is young, big, strong and he pitched like it in Game 2. A two-time All-Star and winner of 45 games in the past three years, Z was simply masterful—he gave up three hits, the late walk, and allowed only one runner to 2B! Before that walk, the 28-year-old sat down 20 consecutive Giants.

Sandoval's Tying Double, Game 2

It wasn't quite three home runs in a World Series game, but Giants fans will take it. Panda faced Storen with two on and two out in the 9th—and smacked Storen's second pitch down the left field line, easily scoring Panik and tying the game! (Buster Posey was thrown out trying to score from 1st.)

Cabrera Gets Ejected, Game 2

Asdrubal Cabrera didn't tear it up during his two NL months, but the ex-Indian had homered the night before—and had to have a repeat somewhere in his mind when he faced Affeldt in the 10th. Behind in the count 3-1, he took an extremely generous strike 2, then watched a slightly better but still generous strike 3 go by. Furious, Cabrera slammed his helmet and unloaded on umpire Vic Carapazza, who ejected him—and Williams when he picked up the argument.

Yusmeiro Petit's Relief, Game 2

The Marlins? Unimpressed. The D'Backs? Sayonara. What's that saying about another man's trash? As Game 2 hit extras and both offenses stalled, Petit saved the bullpen from potential diasaster by chewing up six extra innings—whiffing seven and allowing one hit. One would have thought it was his 20th postseason appearance rather than his first.

Brandon Belt's Winning Bomb, Game 2

Most people dream of hitting a walk-off homer, but I would personally prefer to hit a winner in the top of the final inning—you get to enjoy the silence of the stunned crowd as you trot the bases. Belt got to live my dream when he connected off a Tanner Roark fastball to end eight innings of zeroes—and ultimately clinch a Giants win.

Bumgarner's Costly Error, Game 3

Nats SP Doug Fister and Giants SP Madison Bumgarner were locked in a pitcher's duel thru six—shocker. Nats SS Ian Desmond led off with a single, followed by a walk to Harper. Next, C Wilson Ramos attempted to bunt them over—Bumgarner attempted to force Desmond at third but threw the ball down the LF line into the active SF bullpen. By the time LF Travis Ishikawa dug it out, two runs were in—and Washington cruised to victory. (Above: 3B Sandoval was hurt on the play but stayed in.)

Bryce Harper's Clutch Catch, Game 3

He's got all five tools, and they were all on display in this series. Here, the Washington LF flashed the leather in the 7th inning. With one out and Belt on 2nd, Ishikawa drove one toward the LCF gap. Harper raced over and, as his dive started, snagged the ball off his shoetop in spectacular fashion! Belt would be stranded. With this level of pitching and D, it's clear how the two clubs endured a 26-inning stretch with a COMBINED three runs.

Adam LaRoche Throws...Home? Game 4

This could have been a disaster—but the Nats 1B got away with it. SF led 2-1 in the 5th; RP Roark was greeted with successive singles by OF Gregor Blanco and Panik. A sac fly sent Blanco to 3rd; next, Pence grounded weakly to first. Rather than force out Panik or Pence, LaRoche threw home...where Blanco was NOT headed. However, SF squandered the gift—taking LaRoche off the hook.

Hunter Pence's AWESOME catch, Game 4

This is why you never turn away during a big game. Needing a beverage refill and unwilling to wait for a break, I ducked out briefly—and returned 90 seconds later to an AT&T crowd beside itself with glee. What happened? With one out in the 6th, Ryan Vogelsong made an 0-2 mistake to Nats slugger Jayson Werth—who drove it deep to right. Pence timed it, threw his body against the partially-padded chain-link fence, and caught the ball as he crashed to the ground! Thank you, DVR.

Bryce Harper's Tying Blast, Game 3

Round 1 of Strickland/Harper went to Washington. Round 2—carbon copy. Appearing for the third time in the series, Strickland faced Harper with one out in the 7th and SF up 2-1. Harper worked himself into a 3-1 count, got a challenge fastball, and deposited it deep into McCovey Cove. The line-hugging blast tied the game at 2, and ensured Strickland might never be allowed to face Harper again.

Aaron Barrett's Costly WP, Game 4

After Nats RP Matt Thornton allowed consecutive singles, the rookie righty was called on by Williams in the 7th inning of a 2-2 game. Barrett walked Pence to load the bases; next, with Sandoval up, Barrett bounced one to the backstop—sending Panik home with the go-ahead run.

Aaron Barrett WP An IBB? Game 4

I've seen this happen before—but never with so much at stake. After Barrett's WP scored Panik, Posey moved to third and Pence to second. With the count now 3-1 on Sandoval, Washington opted to walk him to set up the force. But Barrett totally airmailed his catcher, and this ball also went to the backstop! It could have been total disaster for the Nats, but Ramos was able to recover and throw out Posey trying to score—although some felt Barrett illegally blocked the plate.