San Francisco is one game away from meeting Anaheim in the World Series.

Written by Mercedes Marrero, Latinosportslegends.com

October 14, 2002 -- The San Francisco Giants are one victory away from playing the Angels in the World Series because of a two-run home run Benito Santiago hit in the eighth inning in a tied ballgame.

The Giants were deadlocked at 2-2 in the eighth inning - two out - nobody on. The Cardinals decide to walk Barry Bonds intentionally to face Santiago. 

With Rick White on the mound pitching to Santiago, White threw an inside fastball on a 3-2 pitch which the 37-year-old catcher drilled over the left field bleachers to give the Giants a 4-2 lead. The Giants went on to defeat the Cardinals 4-3.

"I feel like I'm 13 years old jumping all over the place," Santiago said. "I've played so long. Just to be in this situation right now, the way I'm playing, I don't know how to describe it." 

It was Santiago's second home run of the series, but this one was the biggest of his career. "This is a dream come true," said Santiago. "It's just unbelievable. I don't know how to describe it at this time, but it's happening."

Giants starter Livan Hernandez, the half-brother of Orlando Hernandez of the Yankees, brought a 6-0 career post-season record, pitched well by just giving up two runs in the first - none after that. 

The Cardinals staged a rally in the ninth against Robb Nen, making it 4-3 on Jim Edmonds' single and putting
runners on first and third with one out. Then Nen, who has an excellent fastball, struck out Albert Pujols and
J.D. Drew on sliders to secure the victory that gave the Giants a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

During the post-game press conference, St. Louis manager, Tony La Russa, said about his decision to walk Bonds in the eighth inning, "Lots of times strategy is judged in whether it works," La Russa said. " So it didn't work. Bad strategy."

A victory tonight puts the Giants in the World Series for the first time since 1989.

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