SAN FRANCISCO SLUGGER Pablo Sandoval hit a spectacular three home runs to lead the Giants to an 8-3 victory over Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in game one of baseball’s World Series.
Venezuela’s Sandoval smacked a solo shot in the first inning, a two-run blast in the third and another solo homer in the fifth to become just the fourth player to hit three home runs in one game of the best-of-seven championship showcase.
The feat put him in elite company alongside Babe Ruth — who did it twice — Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols.
Of the group, Sandoval is the only one to homer in his first three at-bats of the game.
“Man, I still can’t believe it,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval’s first two homers came off Detroit’s vaunted ace Verlander, who made it through just four innings and 98 pitches and gave up five runs on six hits.
The Giants wasted no time in pouncing on Verlander, whose team hadn’t played since completing a sweep of the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series last Thursday.
San Francisco came into the contest battle-hardened, having just won their third game in a row on Monday to cap an improbable comeback over St. Louis in the National League Championship Series.
They are trying to claim their second title in three years, after winning it all in 2010.
Giants pitcher Barry Zito called Sandoval’s night “awesome”.
“To go up early in the game like that, get first blood, get the momentum going and then just to cap it off with a couple more and a single as well,” he said. “Just a pleasure to be a part of it.”
“You certainly tip your hat to what Sandoval did tonight,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “It was unbelievable.”
“I just try to put the pitch on the barrel (of the bat),” Sandoval said. “I don’t try to hit a home run. I just go in there and try to help my team score runs.”
The Giants will try to stretch their series lead when they host game two on Thursday. San Francisco give the ball to Madison Bumgarner, while the Tigers will send Doug Fister to the mound.
Despite the excitement, Sandoval said it was important to keep things in perspective with the next test looming.
“The series is not over,” he said. “You have to keep playing your game.”
