Baseball: Giants take lead in Series

The San Francisco Giants beat Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers 11-7 in a high scoring World Series opener in California.

Freddy Sanchez hit three doubles for the National League champion Giants, and Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer.

The game had been billed as a pitching duel, but both all-stars - Lee for the Rangers and Tim Lincecum for the Giants - were off form.

Hence the big scoreline - more like one from a rugby match than a baseball game.

Game 2 is in San Francisco again this afternoon (NZ time), then the best-of-seven Series switches to Texas for Game 3.

The Giants have not won the World Series since moving West from New York. Texas is making its first Series appearance in the franchise's 50th season.

- NZHERALD STAFF