[Nick Soulis]

Series #137



2020 San Francisco Giants
Record: 29-31
Finish: 3rd in NL West
Manager: Gabe Kapler
Ball Park: Oracle Park
WAR Leader: Mike Yastrzemski (2.7)
Franchise Record: 3-4
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2020.shtml

2016 Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 78-83
Finish: 3rd in NL Central
Manager: Clint Hurdle
Ball Park: PNC Park
WAR Leader: Starling Marte (4.8)
Franchise Record: 8-6
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/2016.shtml
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Pirates Humble Covid Giants In 6
Depth And The Logn Ball Enough For Pittsburgh



Game 1
At Oracle Park
2016 Pittsburgh Pirates 4
2020 San Francisco Giants 9
WP: K. Gausman (1-0) LP: G. Cole (0-1)
HR: M. Joyce (1), B. Belt (1), M. Dubon (1), A. Slater (1), B. Crawford (1)
POG: Kevin Gausman (5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 98 P)
2020 Giants Lead Series 1-0

The San Francisco 2020 Giants opened their best-of-seven series against the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates with a convincing 9-4 victory at Oracle Park in Game 1, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling Field of Dreams matchup. The Giants erupted in the fourth inning, highlighted by Mauricio Dubón's grand slam off Gerrit Cole, giving San Francisco a commanding lead they would not relinquish. Kevin Gausman delivered a stellar performance on the mound, holding the Pirates to just one hit over 5.2 innings. The Pirates made a push in the sixth inning with a two-run homer from Matt Joyce, but the Giants' offense proved too potent. With the win, the Giants take a 1-0 lead in the series, with Game 2 set to continue under the cloudy skies of San Francisco.

Game 2
At Oracle Park
2016 Pittsburgh Pirates 9
2020 San Franciwco Giants 4
WP: J. Tailon (1-0) LP: D. Smyly (0-1)
HR: J. Mercer (1), D. Freese (1), A. Salaza2 2 (2)
POG: Jordy Mercer (3-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Series Tied 1-1

The 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates roared back in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series against the 2020 San Francisco Giants, securing a 9-4 victory at Oracle Park to even the series at 1-1. The Pirates set the tone early, with a seven-run explosion in the second inning, highlighted by Andrew McCutchen's bases-clearing double, putting the game out of reach for the Giants. Jordy Mercer was the standout performer, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, earning him Player of the Game honors. Despite two home runs from Austin Slater, the Giants couldn't overcome the early deficit, as Jameson Taillon pitched seven solid innings for Pittsburgh, allowing four runs on seven hits. The series now shifts to Pittsburgh, where the Pirates will look to capitalize on their momentum.

Game 3
At PNC Park
2020 San Franciwco Giants 9
2016 Pittsburgh Pirates 6
WP: L. Webb (1-0) LP: J. Nicasio (0-1) S: J. Garcia (1)
HR: A. Dickerson (1), S. Rodriguez (1), M. Joyce (2)
POG: Maurico Dubon (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R)
2020 Giants Lead Series 2-1

In a pivotal Game 3 of the Field of Dreams best-of-seven series, the 2020 San Francisco Giants edged out the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates with a 9-6 victory at PNC Park, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. The Giants' offense erupted in the fourth inning, scoring six runs to break a tight contest wide open. Mauricio Dubon spearheaded the Giants' attack, going 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, and two RBIs, earning him Player of the Game honors. The Pirates mounted a late comeback, highlighted by solo home runs from Sean Rodriguez and Matt Joyce, but it wasn’t enough to overcome San Francisco's lead. Logan Webb earned the win with a gritty 5.2 innings of one-run ball, while Jarlin García closed the door with a save, securing the Giants' victory on a clear, brisk night in Pittsburgh.

Game 4
At PNC Park
2020 San Franciwco Giants 3
2016 Pittsburgh Pirates 7
T. Glasnow (1-0) LP: J. Garcia (0-1)
HR: M. Dubon (2), M. Yastrzemski (1)
POG: Chad Kuhl (5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 83 P)
Series Tied 2-2

In a thrilling Game 4 at the Field of Dreams, the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates tied the series 2-2 with a 7-3 victory over the 2020 San Francisco Giants. Chad Kuhl delivered a stellar performance on the mound, allowing just two hits and one earned run over 5.1 innings, setting the tone for the Pirates. The game was deadlocked at 2-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning when Jung-ho Kang delivered a clutch, go-ahead double off Jarlín García, igniting a five-run rally. Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer added insurance RBIs, propelling Pittsburgh to victory. Despite homers from Mauricio Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski, the Giants couldn't overcome Pittsburgh's late-game surge. The series now heads back to PNC Park with everything on the line.

Game 5
At PNC Park
2020 San Franciwco Giants 2
2016 Pittsburgh Pirates 3
WP: T. Glasnow (2-0) LP: T. Watson (0-1) S: M. Melancon (1)
HR: None
POG: Gerrit Cole (7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 114 P)
2016 Pirates Lead Series 3-2

n a thrilling Game 5 at the Field of Dreams, the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates edged the 2020 San Francisco Giants 3-2, taking a crucial 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Gerrit Cole was the star of the night, delivering a stellar performance with seven innings of two-run ball, allowing just five hits while striking out eight. The Giants jumped ahead early with a run in the first and another in the third, but Cole settled in, keeping them scoreless the rest of the way. The Pirates clawed back with a run in the fourth, and in the bottom of the eighth, Francisco Cervelli came through with a clutch two-out single that drove in two runs, giving Pittsburgh the lead for good. Mark Melancon closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning, securing the victory in front of 40,548 fans. The series now shifts back to San Francisco for Game 6, where the Giants will face elimination at Oracle Park.

Game 6
At Oracle Park
2016 Pittsburgh Pirates 9
2020 San Franciwco Giants 1
WP: J. Tailon (2-0) LP: D. Smyly (0-2)
HR: J. Kang (1), D. Freese (2), D. Solano (1)
POG: David Freese (2-5, HR, 2B, 5 RBI, R)

In a dominant Game 6 performance, the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates clinched the series against the 2020 San Francisco Giants with a 9-1 victory, capturing the Field of Dreams best-of-seven showdown. After three scoreless innings, Pittsburgh erupted with a seven-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jung Ho Kang and a bases-clearing double by David Freese. Freese, who also blasted a two-run home run in the sixth, drove in five runs, earning Player of the Game honors. Giants starter Drew Smyly struggled, allowing seven runs over three innings, while Pittsburgh's Jameson Taillon was stellar, scattering eight hits over 6.2 innings and allowing just one run—a solo shot by Donovan Solano in the fifth. The Pirates' defensive prowess shined with three double plays, and the bullpen closed the door as Francisco Liriano struck out four over 2.1 scoreless innings. The series win capped a triumphant celebration for Pittsburgh.

2016 Pittsburgh Pirates Win Series 4 Games To 2

Series MVP:

(10/21, 3 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, .560 OBP)