Pablo Sandoval hits grand slam, Sanchez strikes out 5 to help Giants beat Cubs 5-1

Sandoval hits grand slam as Giants beat Cubs 5-1

MESA, Ariz. — Pablo Sandoval hit a grand slam off Carlos Zambrano and Jonathan Sanchez pitched three scoreless innings Wednesday, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Zambrano, the one-time ace who reported to camp in top shape after winning only nine games last season, had given up only one hit in four spring innings before the Giants scored five times in the third. After allowing three soft singles, he hit Eugenio Velez with a pitch and then yielded Sandoval’s line drive over the right-field wall.

It was the first homer for Sandoval, who batted .330 with 25 home runs and 90 RBIs in 2009. His eight RBIs have helped the Giants to a 7-1 record this spring.

Sanchez allowed three singles, walked none and struck out five while running his shutout streak to five innings. The left-hander pitched a no-hitter last July 10 and finished the season with 177 strikeouts in 163 1/3 innings.