Zito, Giants beat Cards, close NLCS deficit to 3-2

By R.b. Fallstrom

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Oct. 19 2012 9:20 p.m. MDT

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito throws during the eighth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, in St. Louis.

David J. Phillip, Associated Press

Summary

Barry Zito pitched the San Francisco Giants back into the NL championship series, dominating into the eighth inning of a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night that narrowed their deficit to 3-2.

ST. LOUIS — Barry Zito pitched the San Francisco Giants back into the NL championship series, dominating into the eighth inning of a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night that narrowed their deficit to 3-2.

The defending champion Cardinals might have thrown away a chance to clinch a second straight World Series trip. Pitcher Lance Lynn's toss on a possible forceout deflected off the second-base bag, paving the way for the Giants' four-run fourth.

Pablo Sandoval homered for the second straight night and Zito made an extremely rare offensive contribution with a perfectly executed bunt for an RBI single.

Game 6 will be in San Francisco on Sunday, with Ryan Vogelson pitching for the Giants against Chris Carpenter.

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