Panda power: Sandoval hits three home runs

SAN FRANCISCO – Pablo Sandoval has joined a select company: Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols.

The San Francisco Giants third baseman banged out three home runs in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, powering the hosts to a 6-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers after five innings.

Only Hall of Famers Ruth (twice) and Jackson, plus three-time NL MVP Pujols, had hit three homers in a World Series game. The most recent was Pujols last year in Game 3 against the Texas Rangers.

Sandoval, who had 12 home runs in a regular season shortened by injuries, victimized reigning AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander twice, then took reliever Al Alburquerque deep to center field in the fifth, his fourth RBI of the game.

The home runs against Verlander stoked a sellout crowd and stunned the Tigers, who were counting on their ace to set the tone in the series.

Sandoval belted a high 0-2 fastball over the Visa sign in center field for the game's first run in the opening inning. Two innings later, he reached down for a low and away 95 mph fastball and sent it over the fence in left field, a two-run shot that increased the Giants' lead to 4-0.

Shortly after the ball sailed into the stands, Verlander was seen apparently mouthing the word, "Wow."

All three homers for the switch-hitting Sandoval came from the left side. He now has six homers in this postseason.