Pablo Sandoval, aka Kung Fu Panda, the big third baseman for the Giants, absolutely hammered a Cubbies Carlos Zambrano fastball over the right field fence and bullpen for a grand slam at HoHoKam Park in Mesa Today. Interestingly enough, both are from the same hometown, Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.

Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval went yard on pitcher Carlos Zambrano for a grand slam in the third inning against the Cubs, Wednesday March, 10 2010. The hit put San Francisco up 5-0. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2010

The Giants starters looked pretty sharp today, making several fine plays including two double plays in the first five innings against Chicago. Jonathan Sanchez, Wednesday’s starting pitcher for San Francisco, threw three strong innings of shut out ball on three hits, striking out five. The Giants are 7-1 on the spring and will start Tim Lincecum against the Mariners on Thursday at Scottsdale Stadium.

Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez threw three shutout innings on three hits against the Cubs at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Wednesday Mar. 10, 2010. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat) 2010

That’s more like it...Unlike Tuesday, when wind and rain delayed many of the Cactus League games, It was sunny and nearly 70 degrees Wednesday. As I write this, thunderstorms have returned.

Came very close to getting hit by a bat today. Derrek Lee of the Cubs broke his bat and the barrel wobbled up and over the third base coach and landed just a few feet from the photo pit. Baseball can be very hazardous.

Here are more  photos of Wednesday’s Giants Cubs game.