San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera was making his debut as the leadoff hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, and made a statement with two home runs in a 8-4 Giants victory at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ.
The Melkman made his presence felt in his first at bat, launching a leadoff bomb into the Arizona sky to give the Giants an early lead. Emmanuel Burriss and Brett Pill backed up him, with Pill's second homer of the Spring giving the Giants the early 3-0 advantage off Dodgers starter Ted Lilly, who got lit up for five runs on six innings in two innings of work for the loss. Barry Zito got the win for the Giants, allowing two runs in two-plus innings, looking sharp at points in his outing.
Burriss, Pill, Cabrera and Nate Schierholtz all finished 2-4 on the day, while highly touted prospect Joe Panik got some time in at second base, going 2-2 including a triple. Hector Sanchez went 0-4 as the DH today.
The Giants will send Tim Lincecum back out on the mound Wednesday to take on the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium at 12:05 pm PT.
For more on the Giants, head over to McCovey Chronicles.