After six innings of Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, the San Francisco Giants lead the Detroit Tigers, 6-1. The Giants built a 4-0 lead through three innings, and tacked on another run in the fourth inning when pitcher Barry Zito singled home Brandon Belt. The 5-run margin was enough to drive Justin Verlander out of the game. Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval hit his third home run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, a solo shot off Al Alburquerque that gave San Francisco a 6-0 lead.
Detroit finally broke through against Zito in the sixth inning. Austin Jackson led off with a double down the third-base line. An Omar Infante fly ball moved Jackson to third, and Miguel Cabrera brought him home with a single to center field. A Delmon Young single put runners at first and second with two out and forced Zito out of the game, but Tim Lincecum struck out Jhonny Peralta to end the inning with just one Detroit run.
Verlander struggled, throwing just four innings and allowing five runs on six hits, including Sandoval's first two home runs. His struggles paralleled his difficulties in Game 1 of the 2006 World Series, when he took the loss after giving up six runs in five innings pitched. Alburquerque has thrown two innings, and is perfect aside from the Sandoval home run.
Zito was excellent, throwing 5⅔ innings and giving up one earned run on six hits, striking out three. Lincecum was next to hit as the bottom of the sixth ended, and will pitch the seventh.