Beltre Blast Bombs Bosox; Matt Cain, Freddy Sanchez Get First Win for Giants

Players of the Day for Saturday, April 2, 2011

American League

Adrian Beltre

Adrian Beltre capped a six-run 4th inning with a grand slam homer, leading the Texas Rangers to a thorough, 12-5 throttling of the Boston Red Sox.

Beltre joined the Rangers after spending the 2010 season with the Red Sox.

The blast was Beltre's only hit, but it was the biggest of the Rangers' 15-hit attack. all nine players in the lineup registered at least one hit. Nine Ranger hits went for extra bases, including four home runs.

The Rangers have taken the first two games of the series from Boston and will look to complete the season-opening sweep on Sunday.

National League

Matt Cain

Matt Cain started the 2011 season the same way he ended the 2010 season, holding the opposing team scoreless.

Freddy Sanchez

Cain tossed six shutout innings in his first start for the Giants, en route to a 10-0 laugher and the defending world champions' first win of the season after two losses to their most intense rival.

During last year's playoffs and World Series, Cain had thrown 21 1/3 innings without surrendering an earned run. On Saturday, he allowed five hits, issued no walks and fanned three.

Freddy Sanchez provided a nice dose of offense, going 3-for-4, with a single, double and home run. Sanchez drove in three runs and scored twice as the Giants beat up Dodger starter Ted Lilly and three relievers.