News
Cain, Giants take aim at division leaders
San Francisco (76-64) vs. Los Angeles (83-58), 7:15 p.m. PT
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
09/09/09 10:32 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- From the Giants' perspective, this would be an opportune time for Matt Cain to record his first career victory over the Dodgers -- the only National League West club he hasn't defeated during his career. Cain is 0-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 12 career starts against Los Angeles. He received a no-decision in his only outing against the Dodgers this year, surrendering two runs and seven hits over six innings in a 5-4 Los Angeles win on April 15. This shapes up as yet another critical series for the Giants, who occupy third place in the National League West and must excel both this weekend and next weekend at Los Angeles to have a chance at catching the first-place Dodgers. Cain's season-long excellence would suggest that he has a chance to end his drought against the Giants' archrival in Friday night's series opener at AT&T Park. Entering Thursday, he ranks third in the National League in ERA and winning percentage (.765) and sixth in opponents' batting average (.227). For those who like their statistics more thinly defined, Cain ranks fourth among NL pitchers in night ERA (2.51) and 10th in home ERA (2.53). Moreover, Cain appreciates the intensity that typically accompanies one of these matchups. "There's always something going on between the Giants and the Dodgers," said Cain, who will establish a personal single-season best with his next victory. Jonathan Sanchez, Saturday's starter for the Giants, has been almost as luckless as Cain against the Dodgers. The left-hander is 0-3 with a 5.35 ERA in nine appearances (six starts) against Los Angeles, including 0-2, 5.40 in three games this season. Vicente Padilla will start for the Dodgers. The series will conclude with a potential grudge match as Brad Penny will oppose his former teammates and Los Angeles ace Chad Billingsley. Penny, who has excelled in his pair of starts for the Giants (2-0, 1.20), didn't exactly leave the Dodgers on good terms after last season. Asked recently if he'll struggle to control his emotions against the Dodgers, Penny didn't hide his feelings. "Probably," he replied. Penny is 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA in seven lifetime starts against Los Angeles. Pitching matchupSF: RHP Matt Cain (13-4, 2.51 ERA)
After seven starts without a victory, Cain finally got elusive No. 13 against the Brewers, holding the high-octane Milwaukee offense to two runs on four hits in six innings. Manager Bruce Bochy credited Cain's increased focus in sticky situations as a mark of maturity this season -- such as a sixth inning in which he walked the first two batters but did not allow a run. He continues to be one of the league's most dominant right arms. LAD: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 4.15 ERA)
In his first start back Sunday, Kuroda showed no ill effects from the line drive he took off his head. On the other hand, he didn't pitch well enough to win, either. Kuroda was charged with four runs in five innings and walked three, which the Dodgers hope had more to do with rustiness than any reluctance to challenge hitters. Kuroda will be pitching on an extra day of rest. Tidbits
Tim Lincecum was suitably impressed by Madison Bumgarner, the heralded prospect who filled in for him Tuesday against San Diego. "He did awesome," Lincecum said of Bumgarner, who allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings in his Major League debut. "He definitely showed what kind of stuff he has and what kind of poise he can hold out there. It's like he's pitching to guys in [Class A] San Jose again. He doesn't get panicked out there." ... Pablo Sandoval is the first Giant to hit 40 doubles since Randy Winn amassed 42 in 2007. He's also just the eighth player in franchise history to hit at least 40 doubles and 20 homers in one season. Others are George Kelly (1921), Bill Terry (1932), Alvin Dark (1953), Willie Mays (1959), Jack Clark (1978), Barry Bonds (1998) and Jeff Kent (1999-2002). Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• NBC-11, MLBN On radio
• KNBR 680, KIQI (Español), KATD 990 (Sp.) Up next
• Saturday: Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 6-11, 4.03) vs. Dodgers (Vicente Padilla, 2-0, 2.76), 6:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Giants (Brad Penny, 9-8, 5.15) vs. Dodgers (Chad Billingsley, 12-9, 3.93), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Giants (TBD) vs. Rockies (TBD), 7:15 p.m. PT
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
