ANAHEIM, Calif. — If Game 1 of the World Series was any indication, the bullpens are going to play a major role in the outcome.

        Each bullpen pitched 3 1-3 innings of hitless ball Saturday night in the Giants' 4-3 victory. It started out as a slugfest, as Barry Bonds and Reggie Sanders homered in the second inning, J.T. Snow added a two-run shot in the sixth and Troy Glaus homered twice for the Angels.

        But the middle relief was nearly flawless, except for a walk by each staff.

        Felix Rodriguez retired all four batters he faced for the Giants. Tim Worrell pitched the eighth, retiring Glaus on a called third strike. Robb Nen pitched a perfect ninth, retiring Adam Kennedy on a flyout, fanning David Eckstein and getting Darin Erstad on a flyout.

        “They came in and just shut the door on us,” Eckstein said. “Nen made me look stupid on that final pitch he threw me, so I have to make an adjustment the next time I face him.”

        Nen, whose 10 career postseason saves are third behind Mariano Rivera and Dennis Eckersley, has allowed one earned run in seven innings this postseason. Rodriguez has given up one earned run in nine innings.

        “Rodriguez sets the table, and he's a hard thrower. Worrell's been having a great season, and everybody knows what Robb Nen is able to do,” Giants catcher Benito Santiago said. “This is the best set of relievers in the league, right after Atlanta.”

        For the Angels, Brendan Donnelly relieved Jarrod Washburn following Snow's homer and retired all five batters he faced. After Scott Schoeneweis walked Bonds on four pitches, Ben Weber retired five in a row.

        “I know we wouldn't be where we are right now without our bullpen,” Washburn said. “They've been a big part of this team, so I feel pretty good about our chances with the bullpen we have.”

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