Bumgarner kept the Tigers off the board with a stellar outing. (aewang/Creative Commons)

Bumgarner was on his game, pitching seven strong innings while striking out eight and only allowing two hits all night. He pitched with impeccable control, changing speeds all night long and jamming both right and left-handers with his fastball.

This Bumgarner looked like the All-Star who was selected by manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy’s confidence showed once again by giving him the ball, and Bumgarner did not disappoint.

Bay Area native Doug Fister was not too shabby on the mount either for the Tigers, keeping the game tied until the sixth. Fister mixed speeds and used his crafty delivery to get nine pop outs and six groundouts. The Giants scored the first run of the ball game on a bases-loaded double play ground out.

Outside of the sixth inning, in which he walked a man and allowed one bunt hit to lie right on the foul line, Fister was dominant. He forced the Giants hitters to get themselves out. Once again, however, the Tigers bullpen let the game slip from their grasp.

Drew Smyly came into the game and walked three men, then allowed Hunter Pence to sacrifice-fly-in the game's second run. If the Tigers want to compete in this series, they must get a better performance from their bullpen.

Detroit's big boppers, Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Delmon Young went relatively quiet in Game 2, hitting a combined 1 for 7. Tigers fans must be concerned after watching their lineup go by the wayside after two games of this series.

Game 1 hero Pablo Sandoval recorded one hit on the evening before being replaced by Joaquin Arias for defensive purposes. In Game 2, Hunter Pence was the Giants' most clutch hitter. Pence saw 28 pitches in three total at-bats and recorded one hit plus that RBI sacrifice fly.

The Tigers lost the ballgame, but the momentum could have swung in a flash. In the second, Fielder was thrown out at the plate by an inch, and moments later, Fister was struck squarely in the head by Gregor Blanco’s line drive.

If the Tigers want to win this series, they must work deeper into counts and play small ball, like their counterparts from San Francisco. Their aggressiveness on the base paths, two pick-offs and one runner thrown out in Game 2 ultimately thwarted any major Tigers rally.

Expect quite the game Saturday as Tigers fans will be waving their towels ready to root on their club, a team searching for its first World Series win since 2006.

Reach Staff Writer Evan Budrovich here or follow him on Twitter.