San Francisco: Pablo Sandoval became only the fourth player to hit three home runs in a World Series game as the San Francisco Giants opened the best-of-seven series with an 8-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers at AT&T Park.
The third baseman went deep in his first three at-bats on Wednesday night – the first two off Justin Verlander and then a third against reliever Al Alburquerque – to get his name alongside Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols in the record books.
Tigers ace Verlander lasted only four innings and 98 pitches as the Giants assumed control, charging into a 6-0 lead by the end of the fifth.
They never looked like relinquishing their advantage, Barry Zito restricting Detroit to one run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings.
For Sandoval, not only was it a historic night, it was one of redemption.
Sandoval made his major league debut shortly after his 22nd birthday and in his first full season in the majors in 2009, he finished seventh in the National League MVP voting. But in 2010, his second full season, Sandoval let his weight balloon and his numbers tumble. During the Giants’ World Series run that fall, Sandoval was benched and played one game during that final series against the Texas Rangers.
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