Fans flock to AT&T Park for San Francisco Giants home opener

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The San Francisco Giants won their home opener Thursday afternoon at AT&T Park against the Dodgers. LA took a 4-0 lead, but then Hunter Pence's grand slam in the bottom of the eighth put the game out of reach to the delight of the crowd. SF pounded out 17 hits in the 12-6 win.

Excited fans appeared in droves ahead of the game, excited for the return of Giants baseball. It's a timeworn rite for San Francisco. The one day every season when fans can count on confetti, though they might hope for two. Could this come soon enough?

"We needed to redeem ourselves from last year!" said one fan.

And who better to play the foil this day than the Los Angeles Dodgers. You ran a risk by wearing Dodger blue to the ballpark. Dave Gonzalez and Lori Johnson describe this part of their relationship as an uneasy truce.

PHOTOS: San Francisco Giants home opener at AT&T Park

"Some women snore. Some women can't cook. Mine is a Dodgers fan," said Gonzalez.

Johnson added, "I actually can cook."

Not that anyone would run a chance of going hungry at the park, with all the hot dogs and garlic fries floating around.

Speaking generally, we like the day from the crack of the bat to the tools of their trade to all the stuff that even those who have seen it all dozens of times say again on this occasion every year that it's unique.

"All Opening Days are special," said merchandiser Tim Bagley. "It's just rebirth, a new season, everyone's in a good mood. It's always been that way. This is genuine."

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