Sandoval hits 3-run homer, Giants rout King Felix, Mariners

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pablo Sandoval splashed a three-run homer into McCovey Cove while making a rare start, Johnny Cueto earned his first win of the season and the San Francisco Giants jumped all over Seattle ace Felix Hernandez in a 10-1 rout of the Mariners on Wednesday.

Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford and Gorkys Hernandez also homered as the Giants got their bats going at last to back Cueto (1-0).

San Francisco rebounded quickly after losing its home opener a day earlier. Sandoval drew a bases-loaded walk to put the Giants ahead against Hernandez (1-1) in the first, when they also scored runs on a wild pitch and Crawford’s sacrifice fly.

Gorkys Hernandez connected leading off the second. He was a last-minute lineup replacement for injured Hunter Pence, with Hernandez playing center field and Gregor Blanco shifting from center to Pence’s spot in left.

Belt started the fifth with a drive to left. Sandoval’s drive into the water three batters later chased Felix Hernandez, and Crawford followed with his first homer.

It was the first time the Giants hit three homers in one inning since June 2, 2016, at Atlanta — also in the fifth. They last did it at home on May 7, 2007, in the fifth inning as well, against the Mets.

Belt added an RBI single in the seventh.

Ichiro Suzuki started in left field for Seattle and went 0 for 3 with a strikeout. It marked Suzuki’s first appearance playing in San Francisco while with the Mariners since he hit an inside-the-park homer in the 2007 All-Star Game. He didn’t appear in the series opener Tuesday.