Brandon Belt of the San Francisco Giants hits a solo home run in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series on Monday, October 22 in San Francisco. The winner of this game will face the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series. Look back at Game Six of the NLCS.
(CNN) -- Fending off elimination for the third straight game, the San Francisco Giants thrashed the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night to earn the right to battle for their second World Series title in three years.
The Giants beat the Cardinals 9-0 Monday in a game that lacked the drama of some of the other games during the highly competitive series.
San Francisco had been on the brink since last Thursday, when St. Louis jumped to a three games to one advantage in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. But San Francisco has been on a roll since -- beating the Cardinals twice by five-run margins, before finishing off the reigning champs in convincing fashion Monday at AT&T Park, the northern California team's home.
With the victory, the Giants earned the right to face the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, which begins Wednesday. The Tigers handily swept the New York Yankees last week to become American League titlists and earn their shot at baseball's top prize.
On Monday night, San Francisco used the same formula that's worked for them so well in recent days: timely hitting and exceptional pitching.
Matt Cain was stellar on the mound, pitching 5 and 2/3 scoreless innings to start the game. He even helped his cause at the plate with a run-scoring single in the second inning.
The next frame, the Giants exploded for five runs to build a comfortable 7-0 lead.
They never looked back, fending off a St. Louis rally in the sixth inning and tacking on more runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
Monday's win also marked the second furious comeback the Giants had completed during the postseason.
The team was able to come back from a 2-0 deficit and win a best-of-five series against the Cincinati Reds earlier in the playoffs.
"They didn't want to go home. They kept believing," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy
Giants catcher Buster Posey said it is the team's attitude that helps them beat the odds.
"It is a lot of want and a lot of will power," Posey told reporters. "You have to believe you can do it."
The Giants easily finished the regular season atop the National League West with a 94-68 record, tied with Atlanta for fourth best in the league.
Detroit, meanwhile, had an 88-74 mark in pulling past the Chicago White Sox in the final month to earn a ticket to the playoffs. That said, while their record is inferior, the Tigers feature two of the biggest weapons in baseball in pitcher and 2011 American League MVP Justin Verlander and this year's Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.
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Pete Kozma of the St. Louis Cardinals throws out Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants at first base in the fourth inning on Monday.
David Freese of the St. Louis Cardinals throws his bat after he walks in the second inning on Monday.
Carlos Beltran of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on in the seventh inning on Monday.
No. 8 Hunter Pence of the San Francisco Giants hits a three-run double in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.
No. 23 David Freese of the Cardinals reacts after flying out in the fourth inning.
No. 7 Gregor Blanco of the Giants catches a fly ball in the fourth inning.
No. 7 Gregor Blanco of the San Francisco Giants scores on a base hit by No.18 Matt Cain in the second inning.
No. 18 Pitcher Matt Cain of the Giants reacts in the second inning.
No. 7 Gregor Blanco of the Giants is congratulated by manager Bruce Bochy after Blanco scores on a base hit by No. 18 Matt Cain in the second inning.
No. 18 Pitcher Matt Cain of the Giants pitches in the second inning.
No. 48 Pablo Sandoval of the Giants reacts after hitting a double in the third inning.
No. 3 Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals steals second base safely under a tag attempt by No. 19 Marco Scutaro of the Giants in the first inning.
No. 16 Angel Pagan of the Giants gives teammate No. 28 Buster Posey a five after Pagan scores in the first inning.
No. 19 Marco Scutaro of the Giants singles in the first inning.
No. 16 Angel Pagan of the Giants slides home to score in the first inning on an infield groundout by No. 48 Pablo Sandoval against the Cardinals.
A general view during the national anthem before Game 7.
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