NewsCain stubborn, but takes loss to Padres
Giants starter gets through five innings despite rough third
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
10/04/09 2:02 AM EST
SAN DIEGO -- Matt Cain lasted only five innings Saturday night, remained winless at PETCO Park since Aug. 17, 2006, and absorbed the decision in the Giants' 2-0 loss to the San Diego Padres. Yet this was as fitting an occasion as any to celebrate once more, before Sunday's season finale, the excellence that the Giants' starting rotation sustained this year. Despite the rotation's relative youth, nothing guarantees that it'll duplicate its effectiveness next season. Various circumstances -- injuries, trades, slumps -- have a way of derailing even the most promising pitchers. So cherish the efforts of San Francisco's primary starters -- Cain, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito, Randy Johnson, Jonathan Sanchez and Brad Penny. Virtually each game brought the possibility of another masterly display of dominance, finesse or both. "I know every day we went out there, we had a great chance to win," Cain said. "That's a fun situation, when a team really has that feeling." The Giants approach Game 162 with a Major League-high 11 complete games, one ahead of Kansas City and Toronto. No other National League team has more than eight. The ERA of San Francisco's starters remained 3.58, which ranked second in the Majors entering Saturday. Only St. Louis' starters, with 998 2/3 innings, logged more than the Giants' 979 2/3. And, of course, the starters led the way to San Francisco's 18 shutouts, another Major League best. Cain, for one, resisted feeling impressed by any of this, clearly indicating that he believes he and the other starters are capable of accomplishing even more. "I don't know that we'll ever really look at that," he said. "That's not the kind of guys that we are." A victory Saturday would have given Cain (14-8) at least some symbolic satisfaction. Not only would he have tied Lincecum for the team lead, but he also would have equaled his win total from the previous two seasons. "I know he wanted to get a win today and we wanted to get one badly for him," manager Bruce Bochy said. Cain nevertheless displayed a sublime stubbornness. Making his fifth start since his last win here, he was on the brink of being yanked in the third inning after yielding three singles and San Diego's second run with nobody out. Cain stopped the Padres after that, retiring Nick Hundley on a fly to deep right field after hitting Kevin Kouzmanoff to load the bases with two outs. That cumbersome inning hiked Cain's pitch count to 84. It rose to 105 when Adrian Gonzalez singled with one out in the fifth inning. Bullpen coach Mark Gardner, standing alongside Madison Bumgarner, held his cap aloft, signaling that the rookie left-hander had warmed up enough to enter the game. Then Cain returned each of the next two hitters, Chase Headley and Will Venable, on first-pitch popups. That increased Cain's innings total to 217 2/3, second on the team and matching his 2008 accumulation. The right-hander, who turned 25 on Thursday, said he felt better now than at last season's conclusion, another reflection of progress. "I think I got better with using pitches throughout the year to get quicker outs and staying on a [workout] routine," he said. Bumgarner replace Cain and worked two shutout innings, showing why he'll likely join the rotation soon. Bochy wouldn't commit to pinpointing exactly how soon. "We'll discuss Madison this winter," Bochy said. "Right now I can't answer that." The Giants had no answer for Wade LeBlanc (3-1), the Padres rookie left-hander who allowed two hits in seven innings and struck out a career-high eight. After averaging more than six runs per game during their five-game winning streak, the Giants moved only one runner into scoring position. In the sixth inning, Eugenio Velez's fielder's-choice grounder forced out Jesus Guzman, who singled with one out, before Andres Torres drew a walk. LeBlanc survived by coaxing a harmless fly from Pablo Sandoval, who had singled in the first inning. San Francisco's pair of hits matched a season low they've reached three times. Each instance has occurred since Sept. 1, further demonstrating that though the Giants' year was a pleasant surprise, they have room for more growth before their flirtation with the postseason becomes a serious relationship.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
