Game Four Reaction: Nothing Compares to Playoff Atmosphere

Click here to get a sense of the atmosphere at Game Four

I apologize for the late reaction but this contributor was unable to access a computer BECAUSE HE WAS AT GAME FOUR! I was present in Arlington, Texas to watch Madison Bumgarner tear apart the Texas Rangers hitters. Bumgarner wished the Rangers a "Happy Halloween" by treating them to a three-hit shut-out through eight innings. Brian Wilson closed the door in the ninth.

The Giants provided enough offense to get away with a win thanks to a two-run homerun by Aubrey Huff in the third (his first ever career postseason homerun), a two-out insurance run in the seventh and, lastly, another homerun by Buster Posey. The Giants shut-out the Rangers again for the second time this World Series with a 4-0 win to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. (Sidenote: The Giants have scored 26 runs in this series. The Rangers have 26 hits in this series. Just saying.)

But what is more incredible than that was the playoff atmosphere I was able to experience at this game. I arrived in Texas, took a cab to my hotel to drop off my bag and immediately went to the Stadium where fans were already lined up waiting for the gates to open. I entered the ballpark and stood and watched in awe for two hours as I witnessed both the Rangers and the Giants take batting practice. (Sidenote: Huff was crushing the ball in BP much like his homerun in the actual game).

Once the game started, the Rangers fans were 110% behind their team. Fans stood up for every two-strike count against a Giants hitter. The catch that Josh Hamilton made in the second inning was cheered as if he just hit a walkoff (it was pretty unbelievable).

Luckily for the Giants, Madison Bumgarner didn't give the Rangers fans many opportunities to cheer. He was mowing down hitters with his changeup and stellar command. Then came Aubrey Huff's homerun. Silence filled the stadium. You could hear a pin drop. Rangers fans were begging for a reason to get back into the game.

Michael Young's infield single to start the fourth gave them one as everyone threw up the antlers and claws (I still don't understand what this symbolizes as many Rangers fans couldn't articulate it clearly to me). But in that same inning, Posey gunned down Hamilton trying to steal second base, which silenced the crowd yet again.

This game was filled with tons of ups and downs (Juan Uribe's fielding error gave the Rangers hope, while Ogando mowing down Giants hitters in relief gave the Rangers a chance that was ultimately never taken). Buster Posey hit a homerun that was reminiscent of Ian Kinsler in Game Two. Posey's homerun hit the top of the centerfield wall, and bounced over it. The baseball gods work in mysterious ways.

With this roller coaster of a game, I couldn't help but take it all in. Every pitch I was on the edge of my seat. It wasn't until after the game that I realized how badly I had to use the restroom. The crowd was into every pitch as well (cheering in the ninth inning when Derek Holland threw his first strike).

In the end, the Fall Classic exists for a reason. For all of you who are already set in the NFL season, take a step back and enjoy what America's Pastime can provide: guys injured and battered after playing 162+ games for a season hoping to play one more, to be congratulated with a champagne shower. All the while, fans holding their breath on every pitch hoping its not the last. Just as the commercials say, this is beyond baseball. If you want to check out how the atmosphere was, check out the video I posted of the reaction when Josh Hamilton's name is announced in the lineup.

Game Five Preview: Cliff Lee v. Tim Lincecum. Giants strive to win their first World Series since moving to San Francisco and Rangers hope to keep their season alive. Enough said.