Cardinals vs. Giants, 2012 NLCS Game 2: Ryan Vogelsong delivers for San Francisco

With 39 earned runs allowed through 60 innings pitched from Aug. 1 through the end of the regular season, Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong hadn't inspired much hope from fans that he'd be a reliable pitcher in the playoffs. Yet, against the Cardinals in Game 2 of the NLCS, Vogelsong gave as strong as a performance as anyone could ask, allowing just four hits and one run in seven innings before earning the win.

As strong pitching performances have been few and far between, Grant Brisbee SB Nation's McCovey Chronicles was surprised by the performance by Vogelsong, and called it one of the best by the 35-year old:

"That game had everything that makes Vogelsong good -- pitches low in the zone, a change he didn't show until the third time through the lineup, and a two-seamer that ate up right-handers."

Vogelsong remains the only Giants starting pitcher in the postseason with a postseason ERA of under 5.00. As Brisbee notes, unless things turn around with more performances by Vogelsong, the Giants' days in the postseason are limited:

"Was it possible for the Giants to get through the entire postseason gauntlet without any good pitching? Of course not."

But a strong performance by Vogelsong delayed that possibility and extended the Giants season to a 1-1 tie with the Cardinals in the NLCS.