Pablo Sandoval, who hit three home runs, hits a single to center field off Al Alburquerque of the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning during Game 1 of the Major League Baseball World Series at AT&T Park on October 24, 2012, in San Francisco, California.
(CNN) -- Pablo Sandoval's record-tying three home runs led the San Francisco Giants to an 8-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the World Series.
Barry Zito gave up just one run in 5 2/3 innings to earn the win for San Francisco. He also had a run-scoring single in the fourth inning.
Tigers pitching ace Justin Verlander only managed to go four innings, allowing five runs on six hits.
Sandoval, who had 12 home runs during the regular season, hit a solo home run in the first and a two-run shot in the third off Verlander. In the fifth, he added another home run off Al Alburquerque. He has six home runs in the postseason.
"In this situation you're going to face the best. For me I just go in there and don't thinking too much or try to do too much, get a pitch you can hit, take advantage of the mistakes he be making. That's a part of my game." Sandoval said.
His manager said Sandoval has been swinging the bat well for weeks.
"He's been locked in for a while, and the home runs, really where he hit them, too, it's not easy to hit them where he hit them," Giants skipper Bruce Bochy said.
Three other players have homered three times in one World Series game.
Babe Ruth did it twice, and Reggie Jackson also achieved the feat. Last year, St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols had three home runs in Game 3.
Sandoval broke his bat on his third home run.
"I used that bat all postseason," he said, adding he wasn't very superstitious. "There's more bats in there to swing. It's not the bat. It's you. It's everything you've got inside you. If you have faith, you have to believe in yourself."
He also singled in the bottom of the seventh.
"I think you start with giving the Giant hitters credit," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "They did a good job. They're very pesky, and obviously the big guy had one of those unbelievable nights that happens once in a while in a World Series. What a night for him."
The Giants led 8-1 going into the top of the ninth before the Tigers' Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run homer off George Kontos.
Marco Scutaro had two RBI singles for the Giants, who will host Game 2 at 8:07 p.m. ET Thursday.
Doug Fister is scheduled to be the starting pitcher for Detroit, facing off against San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner.
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Angel Pagan of the San Francisco Giants smiles in the dugout near the end of Game 1 against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers walks back to the dugout after he lined out in the sixth inning.
Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants hits a solo home run to center field against Al Alburquerque of the Detroit Tigers in the fifth inning of Game 1.
Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run.
Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning.
Giants fans cheer on boats and kayaks from McCovey Cove outside of AT&T Park.
Angel Pagan of the San Francisco Giants advances after Marco Scutaro hit a single against Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers.
Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants waves to the crowed as he walks to the dugout after being relieved by Tim Lincecum in the sixth inning.
Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers dives for the ball to make a stop in the fourth inning.
Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run to left field against Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers in the third inning.
Sandoval, right, of the San Francisco Giants, celebrates with teammate Marco Scutaro, left, after crossing the plate from a two-run home run.
Angel Pagan of the San Francisco Giants scores a run from a hit by Marco Scutaro.
Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants makes a throw to first base after fielding a hit from the Detroit Tigers.
Gregor Blanco of the San Francisco Giants makes a diving catch in left field during the third inning.
Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers grimaces as Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning.
Sandoval celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring on a solo home run to center field.
Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants hits a solo home run in the first inning of Game 1.
Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers.
Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers greets Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants as Cabrera takes his first at bat.
Fans Cheer during Game 1 between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers.
Starting pitcher Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning.
Fans stand for the national athem prior to the start of the game.
Manager Bruce Bochy, left, of the San Francisco Giants, and manager Jim Leyland, right, of the Detroit Tigers, go over ground rules with the umpires prior to the game.
Fans gather outside the stadium before the start of Game 1.
Phil Coke, center, and the Detroit Tigers are introduced before the start of the game.
San Francisco Giants fans hold up their tickets to the game outside the stadium.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy, left, shakes hands with Tigers manager Jim Leyland in the dugout prior to Game 1.
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