Thursday 30 October 2014 07:46, UK
The Giants lost the battle of the bullpens on Wednesday and San Francisco reliever Hunter Strickland nearly ignited a brawl after losing his temper as the Kansas City Royals levelled the World Series 1-1 with a 7-2 win in Game Two.
With the score tied 2-2 in the sixth inning, the Royals erupted for five runs, finishing off the explosion with a two-run double by Salvador Perez and a two-run home run by Omar Infante - both off Strickland.
As Perez jogged toward home plate ahead of Infante, he and Strickland got into a shouting match, prompting both dugouts to empty and the Royals' relievers to stream onto the field from the outfield bullpen before umpires intervened to restore order.
"I was just frustrated with myself," Strickland said. "I let the team down. It was miscommunication, I guess, on my part and no hard feelings toward anything. It was just my emotions got to me.
It was miscommunication, I guess, on my part and no hard feelings toward anything
"I don't know if he thought I was yelling at him or not. I wasn't yelling at him, I was just frustrated with myself."
Kansas City's bullpen, meanwhile, hurled three and two-thirds innings in securing the 7-2 victory.
Giants outfielder Hunter Pence added: "They put together some really good at-bats and they pitched really good. They have great arms. And their starter (Yordano Ventura) was great tonight, too.
"Anything can happen in the game of baseball and that's the beauty of this time of year, playing in a World Series. Just enjoy the competition."
The best-of-seven series shifts to San Francisco for Game Three on Friday.
