SAN FRANCISCO - After their summer slide and a September stumble, the San Francisco Giants have that old October swagger back.Every other year, it sure seems to work for manager Bruce Bochys boys.Joe Panik scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on Aaron Barretts bases-loaded wild pitch, and the Giants edged the Washington Nationals 3-2 Tuesday night to return to the NL Championship Series.The wild-card Giants, with their cast of rookies and homegrown stars, won 3-1 in the best-of-five Division Series by also scoring on a walk and a groundout. Hunter Pence turned in a defensive gem in right field that helped hold the Nationals at bay as San Francisco won for the 11th time in its last 12 post-season games.Its been a remarkable journey. I wouldnt trade it for the world, Pence said. If it was easy, it wouldnt be as fun.San Francisco travels to St. Louis for Game 1 on Saturday night. Its a rematch of the 2012 NLCS, when the Giants rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Cardinals on the way to their second World Series championship in three years.Santiago Casilla walked Bryce Harper with two outs in the ninth, then retired Wilson Ramos on a grounder to end it. Casilla was mobbed on the mound as fireworks shot off from the centre-field scoreboard.I just talked about their will. These guys, theyre relentless, Bochy said. They were warriors on the road. We had to win at Pittsburgh, we got two in Washington.Harper splashed a tying home run into McCovey Cove in the seventh, but Washingtons season ended with three one-run losses, including that excruciating 2-1 defeat in 18 innings Saturday in Game 2.The Nationals offence never got on track, lacking the power that carried them to an NL East title and the best record in the league at 96-66.Its tender and its bitter and all of those things, but Im proud of them, rookie manager Matt Williams said.Just like a night earlier when Giants ace Madison Bumgarners one miscue cost his team the game, Barrett blew it this time.After his wild pitch snapped a 2-all tie, Barrett got set to intentionally walk Pablo Sandoval. But the right-hander sailed a toss way over the head of Ramos, who quickly retrieved the ball near the backstop. Ramos threw to Barrett covering the plate, where he tagged out a sliding Buster Posey.The call was upheld after a replay review of 1 minute, 57 seconds, denying San Francisco an insurance run.It was just one of those weird plays where they ended up getting me, Posey said.Pence produced the play of the night when he slammed his back into an archway on the right-field wall to rob Jayson Werth of extra bases in the sixth. Fans enjoying the game from the outside portwalk witnessed the grab from just behind Pence and broke into frenzied cheers.That catch he made was unreal. It really brought momentum back in our favour, Posey said.The very next inning, Pence could only watch as Harper hit a towering drive over the right-field arcade and between two boats among a large group of kayakers in the cove. It was the 104th splash homer at 15-year-old AT&T Park and third in the post-season.Hunter Strickland, the rookie reliever who gave up Harpers solo home run to the third deck in the seventh inning of Game 1 and then later said he would challenge the young slugger again if given the chance, got his opportunity Tuesday and paid for it.Harper crushed a 3-1 pitch from Strickland and appeared to give the pitcher a look as he rounded the bases. Harper celebrated in the dugout and shouted out toward the field.Its a 2-1 game, I hit the home run in the seventh, of course Im going to go crazy. I dont even know what Im doing, Harper said. They beat us, so the home run was nothing.Strickland still did enough to earn his first post-season victory. Sergio Romo pitched a perfect eighth and Casilla closed it out before the celebration began.Bumgarner, hat on backward, took off from the dugout and ran along the left-field fence and all the way around AT&T Park to lead a victory lap of Giants players slapping hands. Sandoval pumped his arms in the air and waved to fans.I think anyone thats here tonight sees what type of electric atmosphere this is, and we just love playing in front of these fans, Posey said.San Francisco fans cheered when the rival Dodgers were eliminated by St. Louis at Busch Stadium earlier Tuesday, putting the Cardinals in their fourth straight NLCS. The crowd went crazy once the Giants clinched another chance to play for the pennant, and the city is counting on the teams every-other-year trend of winning it all.San Francisco won the World Series in 2010 and again 2012. The clubs 10-game post-season winning streak, a record for NL teams, was snapped with a 4-1 loss to the Nationals on Monday.The Giants began their latest playoff run with a wild-card win last Wednesday night in Pittsburgh behind Bumgarner.Nothing surprises me anymore with this team, pitcher Ryan Vogelsong said.Vogelsong didnt allow a hit until Ian Desmonds leadoff single in the fifth. Harper followed with a sharp double down the left-field line to put Washington on the board.Winless in September, Vogelsong returned to his top post-season form. Pitching for the first time since Sept. 26 after going 0-4 in five outings last month, the 37-year-old journeyman allowed two hits in 5 2-3 solid innings.Vogelsong has not allowed more than one earned run in five post-season starts, winning Games 2 and 6 of the 2012 NLCS and Game 3 in a World Series sweep of the Tigers.Thats as clutch as it comes, Pence said. Its not an accident that he has the success he does in the playoffs. Hes one of those tough, hard-nosed, gritty guys.Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez found several ways to hurt himself in the second.The Giants loaded the bases after Brandon Crawfords one-out single before Gonzalez misplayed Juan Perezs slow dribbler for an error. Vogelsong beat out a bunt single that went untouched and then Gregor Blanco drew a four-pitch walk to force home the first run.Panik added an RBI groundout.UP NEXTBumgarner and Jake Peavy are the likely candidates to start Game 1 of the NLCS for the Giants against Adam Wainwright.QUIET PANDASandovals 14-game post-season hitting streak was snapped with an 0-for-3 night. Andre Thornton Jersey .com) - Rakeem Christmas scored 21 points, B. Jim Thome Indians Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Brodeurs agent Pat Brisson has spoken to six teams so far regarding the veteran goaltender. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/2668u-tyler-olson-jersey-indians.html .com) - John Wall supplied 24 points and 11 assists in leading the Washington Wizards to a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. Duane Kuiper Jersey . MLB executive Joe Torre ruled on Tuesday nights game at Wrigley Field that was called after 4 1-2 innings. The Cubs were declared the winners by a 2-0 score. Now, it is instead a suspended game that will resume at 4:05 p. Vada Pinson Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle.Every night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, TSN hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Jamie McLennan breaks down each goalies performance. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers (4) – He had a strong game Sunday; was very good in tight with big saves on Crosby, Malkin and Neal in-crease. He had big saves on Gibbons and Goc on breakaways. It was a spirited effort, he even got involved with the extracurricular activities giving Crosby the shower with the water bottle. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins (3) – He had no chance on the first goal; the second goal was bad, short-side, through the body on backhand by Hagelin. He did have big saves on Nash, and Kreider on a breaakaway in tight.dddddddddddd He was very aggressive with his stick around the net, poke check and around posts. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks (4) – He had big saves on Coyle, Neidereiter, and Koivu early on to show he was dialed in. He had a huge right pad save in the third to keep the score 2-1 on Neidereiter, and there was no better save than on Suter with the glove with 4:35 left in third. He was strong on post plays in the last minute on Parise. Ilya Bryzgalov, Minnesota Wild (4) – He had no chance on either goal Sunday. He was very good with rebound control, a lot of plays died because he did not allow a second shot. He had good saves on Hossa, Saad and Sharp and looked comfortable all night. He gave them a chance to win. ' ' '