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Offensive Explosion Propels Giants Past Rangers In Game 1

Devin Altschul |
October 28, 2010 | 11:06 a.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants

Game 1 recap: In a game that was supposed to be a dream pitching matchup, the aces did not show up.

Maybe eight days was too much rest for Rangers ace Cliff Lee? Coming into Game 1 on Wednesday with a 7-0 record in postseason play, he was only one win shy of matching the record set by Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. Then he had the worst postseason start of his career, giving up eight hits and seven runs (six earned) in just under five innings of work.

Lee's rough outing allowed the Giants to jump out to an early 7-2 lead. They would go on to win 11-7.

Tim Lincecum struggled at the beginning of the game as well, but he was able to keep his composure and walk off to a standing ovation in the sixth.

Although neither starting pitcher had command of the game, the Giants were able to capitalize on Lee’s struggles. San Francisco turned the opener into an extra long round of batting practice, with great hits coming from Freddy Sanchez, Cody Ross, Aubrey Huff and Juan Uribe.

It didn't hurt that the World Series rookie Rangers committed four errors, two of them courtesy of rightfielder Vladimir Guerrero.

The Rangers need CJ Wilson to show up for Game 2 Thursday in order to tie the series, while the Giants need a big-time performance from Matt Cain to shut down the Rangers’ powerful lineup.

Key moment: The key moment came when Pat Burrell walked in the fifth inning with two outs against Cliff Lee. The next two batters hit RBI singles, extending a 3-2 Giants lead to 5-2 and spurring a six-run inning.

Game changer: The game changed when Juan Uribe hit a towering three-run homer with two outs in the fifth inning, putting the Giants ahead 8-2.

Play of the game: Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler made a running catch on a fly ball to shallow right field and was able to spin and double off Freddy Sanchez at second base, ending San Francisco's first inning rally.

Unsung hero: Speaking of Sanchez, he was on fire Wednesday, finishing with four of the Giants’ 14 hits. He went 4 for 5 with three doubles and three RBIs, becoming the first player to hit a double in each of his first three World Series at-bats. 

Quote of the game: "When you get here you stop worrying about the statistics, really just worry about whatever you can do to help the team win.” - Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum

To reach writer Devin Altschul, click here.

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