San Francisco Giants win the World Series – in pictures

Nothing says World Series like the Stars and Stripes and a flyover Photograph: Danny Moloshok/Reuters

First the Giants had to see off the Cincinatti Reds in the NLDS. The Giants lost the first two games in SF, but came back to win the next three in Cincinatti. Here Pablo Sandoval – his time would come later – rounds the bases after a grand slam by Buster Posey in the deciding Game Five at Great American Ball Park Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

In the NLCS the Giants faced last year's world champions, the St Louis Cardinals. In Game Two, Matt Holliday fired up the Giants with this slides into second baseman Marco Scutaro. The Giants won this one, but then lost the next two to trail 3-1 in the best-of-seven series Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters

The Giants won Games Five and Six to force a Game Seven decider. Giants fan, actor Rob Schneider was used to help motivate the fans Photograph: Robert Galbraith/Reuters

And closer Sergio Romo sealed the victory by forcing the Cardinals' Matt Holliday to pop out in driving rain. The Giants were on their way to the World Series Photograph: Danny Moloshok/Reuters

World Series Game One: the Giants find a hero in starting pitcher Barry Zito Photograph: Paul Kitagaki Jr./AP

And an even bigger hero in Pablo Sandoval. This is home run No1 … Photograph: Mike Nelson/EPA

… and Sandoval's home run No2, again off the man expected to be the Tigers' ace: Justin Verlander Photograph: Monica M. Davey/EPA

And Sandoval home run No3 Photograph: David J. Phillip/AP

Pitcher Zito even got in on the act with an RBI single as the Giants won 8-3 Photograph: Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Giants fans were in a party mood with the World Series – and Halloween Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters

Game Two and the Giants again won the battle of the starting pitchers – this time it was Madison Bumgarner who helped deliver a shutout Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters

The Tigers almost got off to a flying start but Prince Fielder was tagged out at home plate by Buster Posey during the second inning Photograph: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Fielder was furious but home plate umpire Dan Iassogna got the call right Photograph: David J. Phillip/AP

The decisive moments came in the seventh inning. Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird and third baseman Miguel Cabrera hope against hope that a bunt by the Giants' Gregor Blanco will roll into foul territory. It stayed fair Photograph: Robert Galbraith/Reuters

Moments later Hunter Pence scored for the Giants Photograph: Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Angel Pagan stole to second in the eighth inning and another run for the Giants followed shortly after Photograph: Jose Luis Villegas/AP

Tim Lincecum pitching from the bullpen helped seal the deal and the Giants won Game Two 2-0 Photograph: Mark Blinch/Reuters

Before Game Three Miguel Cabrera was presented with the Triple Crown and Buster Posey the Hank Aaron Award Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

Great outfielding by the Giants helped give San Francisco the edge: here outfielder Gregor Blanco catches a foul ball hit by Detroit Tigers infielder Jhonny Peralta in the ninth inning at Comerica Park Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

Still the Detroit bats couldn't get going. Here a furious Cabrera reacts after popping out with the bases loaded Photograph: Mark Blinch/Reuters

Again Sergio Romo closed out the deal as the Giants won 2-0 to take a 3-0 series lead Photograph: Mark Blinch/Reuters

Game Four: Hunter Pence scores on a triple hit by Brandon Belt Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

But Detroit weren't going to lie down: Miguel Cabrera drives a two-run homer to give the Tigers their first lead of the Series Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

A two-run homer by Buster Posey gave the Giants the lead back Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

But a Delmon Young homer tied up Game Four 3-3 Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

In the 10th inning, Ryan Theriot slid to home to score the decisive run off a Marco Scutaro double Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Giants fans at Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco prepare to celebrate Photograph: Stephen Lam/Reuters

Romo strikes out Cabrera and the World Series is won! Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

Cue the celebrations for the World Series-winning San Francisco Giants Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA