NewsRolling Cain slated for first tilt with Texas
San Francisco (35-31) vs. Texas (37-29), 6:05 p.m. PT
By Andrew Pentis / MLB.com
06/20/09 2:48 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- Former Giant Omar Vizquel remembers playing behind a younger, less successful Matt Cain, the Cain who lost 16 games in 2007 and 14 more last season despite posting an ERA below four.For the first time Saturday, Vizquel will bat against the Cain who's currently tied for the National League lead in wins. The shortstop returned to China Basin on Friday as his Texas Rangers began a three-game series with the host Giants, enjoying the familiar faces and neighborhoods in one of his favorite U.S. cities.
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His four-year Giants career began in 2005 just before a 20-year-old Cain made his debut. It's certainly been a progression since.
"Matt didn't really have the year people were expecting him to have [in 2008]," Vizquel said. "This year, he has turned it around. He's found himself.
"I always thought he was [going to become] one of the best pitchers in the big leagues."
Cain has, making a quality start in nine of his 13 outings this season and, not leaving anything to chance, sporting a 2.39 ERA.
Vizquel, replaced by the younger and more offensive-minded Edgar Renteria in San Francisco, batted .265 in 542 games with the Giants, never recording a fielding percentage below .986. Now, he's carved out a place in Texas, mentoring 20-year-old shortstop Elvis Andrus.
"I think that's a great role for Omar at this stage in his career," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of Vizquel, 42, the oldest active position player in the Major Leagues.
This season, Vizquel is batting 20-for-62 (.323) at the plate and has appeared in 26 of the Rangers' 66 games. His next base hit will give him 2,678 for his 21-year career, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for the most by a Venezuelan. His next RBI will be his 900th all-time.
While Vizquel would like to get both of those milestones out of the way against arguably the Giants' best starter this season, some news regarding the rotation's worst was delivered before Friday's game. Jonathan Sanchez's struggles reached a climax Tuesday when he allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, yielding questions regarding his status in the rotation.
Bochy said Friday he had nothing "definitive" to offer in the way of answers, only saying "the plan" is for Sanchez to make his next scheduled start Monday against the Oakland Athletics. With just one off-day remaining until the July 13-15 All-Star break, the Giants will most definitely require the services of a fifth starter and more victories from Cain.
Pitching matchup
SF: RHP Matt Cain (9-1, 2.39 ERA)
On Sunday against the Oakland Athletics, Cain tossed a shutout for his third complete game of the season and seventh straight win. He retired nine batters on strikes and allowed one run on four hits. As a result of his strong season on the mound and consistent run support -- the Giants gave Cain six more runs Sunday -- the right-hander is tied for the National League lead with nine wins. Cain will be making his first career start against the Texas Rangers.
Holland is 0-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts and has an 8.54 ERA in his last seven games to raise his ERA from 1.74. Opponents are currently hitting .311 off him, including .306 by right-handed hitters and .320 by left-handed hitters. He has allowed eight home runs in 36 2/3 innings. This will be his first start against the Giants. Tidbits
Catcher Steve Holm cleared waivers and will return to Triple-A Fresno. Holm was designated for assignment Tuesday to clear space for Matt Downs on the 40-man roster. ... Pitcher Joe Martinez threw 21 pitches off the mound Friday as his rehab continues. ... Returning from a strained hamstring injury, Juan Uribe ran at the ballpark Thursday. Manager Bruce Bochy said Uribe would likely start at shortstop Sunday, giving a day's rest to regular starter Edgar Renteria. ... Fred Lewis made his first start since June 11 on Friday. He had two hits in his last 24 at-bats. "We'll see if the break has done him any good," Bochy said. After striking out twice, Lewis belted a two-run, go-ahead homer in the sixth inning. ... Kevin Frandsen tripled and homered in Triple-A Fresno's loss Thursday night. ... On Friday, the Giants announced the signing of 23 of their 50 First-Year Player Draft selections. San Francisco's top six Draftees remain unsigned. ... Former Giants hurler Kirk Rueter was in the stands for Friday's game. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
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• KNBR 680, KIQI (Español), KATD 990 (Sp.) Up next
• Sunday: Giants (Barry Zito, 3-7, 4.72) vs. Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 7-4, 2.62), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 2-7, 5.43) at Athletics (Trevor Cahill, 4-5, 3.89), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Giants (Tim Lincecum, 6-2, 2.72) at Athletics (Vin Mazzaro, 2-1, 1.75), 7:05 p.m. PT
Andrew Pentis is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
