Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle  Giants Hunter Strickland is held back by an umpire in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Hunter Strickland is held back by an umpire in the sixth...  Giants manager Bruce Bochy tries to calm Hunter Strickland in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants manager Bruce Bochy tries to calm Hunter Strickland in the...  Giants Hunter Strickland gets a pat on the back from pitching coach Dave Righetti in the dugout in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Hunter Strickland gets a pat on the back from pitching coach...  Giants Hunter Strickland and Royals Omar Infante react to Infante's two-run home run in the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Hunter Strickland and Royals Omar Infante react to Infante's...  The umpire holds back Royals Salvador Perez as he exchanges words with Giants Hunter Strickland during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  The umpire holds back Royals Salvador Perez as he exchanges words...  Giants Hunter Strickland exchanges words with Royals Salvador Perez in the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Hunter Strickland exchanges words with Royals Salvador Perez...  Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland returns to the dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland returns to the dugout after...  Giants Hunter Strickland yells at Royals Salvador Perez in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Hunter Strickland yells at Royals Salvador Perez in the...  Giants Jake Peavy watches the game in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy watches the game in the sixth inning during Game...  Royals fans celebrate in the beginning of the ninth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals fans celebrate in the beginning of the ninth inning during...  Giants Buster Posey and Hunter Pence sit in the dugout in the top of the ninth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Buster Posey and Hunter Pence sit in the dugout in the top...  Umpires send the Royals back to the dugout after they clear the benches in the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Umpires send the Royals back to the dugout after they clear the...  Giants Tim Lincecum leaves the game in the eighth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Tim Lincecum leaves the game in the eighth inning during...  Giants Tim Lincecum leaves the game in the eighth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Tim Lincecum leaves the game in the eighth inning during...  Giants Tim Lincecum pitches in the seventh inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Tim Lincecum pitches in the seventh inning during Game 2 of...  Giants Joe Panik makes a throw to first base for a double play after tagging out Royals Mike Moustakas to end the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Joe Panik makes a throw to first base for a double play...  Giants manager Bruce Bochy watches the eighth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants manager Bruce Bochy watches the eighth inning during Game 2...  Giants Hunter Pence strikes out in the eighth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Hunter Pence strikes out in the eighth inning during Game 2...  Royals Salvador Perez is held back by an umpire in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Salvador Perez is held back by an umpire in the sixth inning...  Royals Mike Moustakas is out at second on a double play in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Mike Moustakas is out at second on a double play in the...  Royals Omar Infante watches his sixth inning three-run homer during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Omar Infante watches his sixth inning three-run homer during...  Giants pitcher Jean Machi and catcher Buster Posey react after Royals designated hitter Billy Butler hits an RBI single in the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants pitcher Jean Machi and catcher Buster Posey react after...  Giants Buster Posey taps Javier Lopez in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Buster Posey taps Javier Lopez in the sixth inning during...  Giants Javier Lopez pitches in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Javier Lopez pitches in the sixth inning during Game 2 of...  Giants Jake Peavy is relieved by manager Bruce Bochy in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy is relieved by manager Bruce Bochy in the sixth...  The Giants infield waits for a pitching change in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  The Giants infield waits for a pitching change in the sixth inning...  Royals Lorenzo Cain scores on an RBI single in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Lorenzo Cain scores on an RBI single in the sixth inning...  Giants Jake Peavy leaves the game in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy leaves the game in the sixth inning during Game 2...  Giants pitcher Jake Peavy and catcher Buster Posey talk in the bottom of the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants pitcher Jake Peavy and catcher Buster Posey talk in the...  Royals fans show their spirit in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals fans show their spirit in the sixth inning during Game 2 of...  Giants Michael Morse breaks his bat in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Michael Morse breaks his bat in the sixth inning during Game...  Royals centerfielder Jarrod Dyson can't make a play on a ball hit by Giants Buster Posey in the sixth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Royals centerfielder Jarrod Dyson can't make a play on a ball hit...  Giants Hunter Pence singles in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Hunter Pence singles in the sixth inning during Game 2 of...  Giants Hunter Pence stumbles after hitting a single in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Hunter Pence stumbles after hitting a single in the sixth...  Giants Travis Ishikawa gets tagged out at second base by Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar in the fifth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Travis Ishikawa gets tagged out at second base by Royals...  Giants Jake Peavy pitches during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy pitches during Game 2 of the World Series at...  Giants Buster Posey singles in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Buster Posey singles in the sixth inning during Game 2 of...  Royals manager Ned Yost taps starting pitcher Yordano Ventura after removing him in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals manager Ned Yost taps starting pitcher Yordano Ventura after...  Giants Travis Ishikawa is forced out at second base in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Travis Ishikawa is forced out at second base in the fifth...  Giants Travis Ishikawa singles in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Travis Ishikawa singles in the fifth inning during Game 2 of...  Giants Jake Peavy watches a grounder by Royals Mike Moustakas who was thrown out at first base in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy watches a grounder by Royals Mike Moustakas who...  Giants Brandon Belt spits on the ground after being tagged out at second base by Royals Omar Infante on a double play in the fourth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Brandon Belt spits on the ground after being tagged out at...  Giants Brandon Belt is tagged out at second base in the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Brandon Belt is tagged out at second base in the fourth...  Giants Brandon Belt is tagged out in the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Brandon Belt is tagged out in the fourth inning during Game...  Giants Travis Ishikawa singles in the fifth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Travis Ishikawa singles in the fifth inning during Game 2 of...  Giants Brandon Crawford throws out Royals Omar Infante to end the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Brandon Crawford throws out Royals Omar Infante to end the...  Giants Pablo Sandoval scores on a Brandon Belt double in the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Pablo Sandoval scores on a Brandon Belt double in the fourth...  Giants Jake Peavy sits in the dugout between innings during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy sits in the dugout between innings during Game 2...  Royals Lorenzo Cain can't make the play on a Giants Pablo Sandoval double in the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Lorenzo Cain can't make the play on a Giants Pablo Sandoval...  Marion Cotillard attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20, 2013 in Cannes, France.  Marion Cotillard attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th...  Royals Omar Infante is greeted in the dugout after scoring in the second inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Omar Infante is greeted in the dugout after scoring in the...  Giants Pablo Sandoval stands on second base after hitting a fourth inning double during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Pablo Sandoval stands on second base after hitting a fourth...  Giants Brandon Belt doubles deep to right field, allowing Pablo Sandoval to score in the fourth inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Brandon Belt doubles deep to right field, allowing Pablo...  Giants Pablo Sandoval doubles in the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Pablo Sandoval doubles in the fourth inning during Game 2 of...  Royals Eric Hosmer tags first base to get Giants Gregor Blanco out in the third inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Eric Hosmer tags first base to get Giants Gregor Blanco out...  Giants Brandon Belt hits and RBI double in the fourth inning scoring Pablo Sandoval during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Brandon Belt hits and RBI double in the fourth inning...  Giants Pablo Sandoval is greeted in the dugout by manager Bruce Bochy after scoring in the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Pablo Sandoval is greeted in the dugout by manager Bruce...  Giants Pablo Sandoval hits a double in the fourth inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Pablo Sandoval hits a double in the fourth inning during...  Royals Alcides Escobar reacts as he misses fielding a hit by the San Francisco Giants in the second inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Royals Alcides Escobar reacts as he misses fielding a hit by the...  Giants Joe Panik is unable to tag out Royals Lorenzo Cain at second base in the second inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Joe Panik is unable to tag out Royals Lorenzo Cain at second...  Royals Omar Infante celebrates on second base after hitting a double to deep left field in the second inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Royals Omar Infante celebrates on second base after hitting a...  Royals Alcides Escobar misses fielding a hit by the San Francisco Giants in the second inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Royals Alcides Escobar misses fielding a hit by the San Francisco...  Giants Travis Ishikawa fields a Royals Alcides Escobar double in the second inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Travis Ishikawa fields a Royals Alcides Escobar double in...  Royals Yordano Ventura and Alcides Escobar react to a Giants Buster Posey ground out to end the third inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Yordano Ventura and Alcides Escobar react to a Giants Buster...  Giants Joe Panik tags out Royals Alcides Escobar in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Joe Panik tags out Royals Alcides Escobar in the first...  Royals Yordano Ventura follows through on a pitch to Giants Joe Panik in the third inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Yordano Ventura follows through on a pitch to Giants Joe...  Royals Nori Aoki lines out in the second inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Nori Aoki lines out in the second inning during Game 2 of...  Giants Joe Panik and Royals Alcides Escobar look for the call from the umpire in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Joe Panik and Royals Alcides Escobar look for the call from...  Giants Travis Ishikawa can't make a catch against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Travis Ishikawa can't make a catch against the Kansas City...  Giants Hunter Pence gets brushed back in the second inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Hunter Pence gets brushed back in the second inning during...  Royals Lorenzo Cain scores in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Royals Lorenzo Cain scores in the first inning during Game 2 of the...  Giants Joe Panik tries to tag Royals Lorenzo Cain out at second base in the first inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Joe Panik tries to tag Royals Lorenzo Cain out at second...  Giants Gregor Blanco rounds the bases after hitting a first inning home run during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Gregor Blanco rounds the bases after hitting a first inning...  Giants Gregor Blanco hits a lead off home run in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Gregor Blanco hits a lead off home run in the first inning...  Giants Gregor Blanco is greeted in the dugout by Pablo Sandoval after hitting a first inning home run during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Gregor Blanco is greeted in the dugout by Pablo Sandoval...  Giants Joe Panik and Gregor Blanco tap hands after Blanco's first inning score during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Joe Panik and Gregor Blanco tap hands after Blanco's first...  Giants Gregor Blanco rounds the bases on a first inning home run during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Gregor Blanco rounds the bases on a first inning home run...  Giants Gregor Blanco rounds the bases after hitting a first inning home run during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Gregor Blanco rounds the bases after hitting a first inning...  The crowd reacts as Giants Hunter Pence attempts to catch ball hit into foul territory in the first inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  The crowd reacts as Giants Hunter Pence attempts to catch ball hit...  Giants Joe Panik tags Royals Alcides Escobar out second base in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Joe Panik tags Royals Alcides Escobar out second base in the...  Giants Joe Panik puts the tag on Royals Alcides Escobar in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Joe Panik puts the tag on Royals Alcides Escobar in the...  Giants Joe Panik puts the tag on Royals Alcides Escobar in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Joe Panik puts the tag on Royals Alcides Escobar in the...  Giants Travis Ishikawa can't get to a Royals Lorenzo Cain hit in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Travis Ishikawa can't get to a Royals Lorenzo Cain hit in...  Giants Travis Ishikawa catches a Royals Alex Gordon fly ball in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Travis Ishikawa catches a Royals Alex Gordon fly ball in the...  Giants Gregor Blanco hits a home run in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.1  Giants Gregor Blanco hits a home run in the first inning during...  Marion Cotillard attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 20, 2013 in Cannes, France.  Marion Cotillard attends the "Blood Ties" Premiere during the 66th...  Giants Jake Peavy pitches in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy pitches in the first inning during Game 2 of the...  Giants Brandon Crawford goes after an Royals Alcides Escobar first inning hit during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Brandon Crawford goes after an Royals Alcides Escobar first...  Giants Jake Peavy prepares to pitch in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Jake Peavy prepares to pitch in the first inning during Game...  Giants Joe Panik puts the tag on Royals Alcides Escobar in the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 in Kansas City, Mo.  Giants Joe Panik puts the tag on Royals Alcides Escobar in the...  Giants Gregor Blanco hits a solo home run in the first inning during game two of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday Oct. 22, 2014.  Giants Gregor Blanco hits a solo home run in the first inning...
The Giants have been all business in this postseason run.  The hard-throwing right-hander imploded in the World Series spotlight Wednesday night.  [...] he certainly played a large role, with what happened in the bottom of the sixth.  [...] it was one of the rare postseason innings where Bochyâs bullpen moves all backfired.  For a brief moment, it looked like Tim Lincecum might have moved into the key right-hander slot, but he left the game with a back strain.  Can he keep the ball in the ballpark and can he be trusted to keep a cool head in the heat of late October?  With two on in a tie game, Bochy removed starter Jake Peavy.  Strickland, 26, had had an up-and-down postseason, getting key strikeouts but also giving up four booming home runs.  [...] he gave up a towering two-run home run to Omar Infante.  The Royals took offense and came out of their dugout.  Bochy came out, to calm things down and remove his young pitcher, who was done after just six pitches and two monster hits.  Strickland and Bryce Harper also exchanged words after Harper hit his second long home run off of Strickland in the NLCS.