July 12, 2009

Cain Hit

The Padres took their revenge on the Giants pitching staff by knocking Matt Cain out of Saturday’s game:

A great Giants’ pitching feat Friday was followed by more fine work on the mound on Saturday – but nearly all of it was by the bullpen because All-Star Matt Cain was knocked out early after taking a line drive off his right arm.

X-rays ruled out any fractures, but after his team’s 2-1 victory over the Padres, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy called Cain “doubtful” for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in St. Louis. Cain called himself “probable,” then amended that by saying he’s just trying to stay positive.

He’ll try throwing off the mound today and that will decide things, but the Giants, holding onto the wild-card spot right now, aren’t going to take any chances with one of their key figures. With a win today, the club would go into the break with 50 wins for the first time since 2003.

The Giants bullpen did just as good a job as the starters over the previous two days, holding San Diego to one run for a 2-1 victory. Getting the short end of the stick was Tim Stauffer, who pitched very well in his first appearance since 2007 due to injuries. He struck out seven, walked one and gave up four hits. One of those hits was a two-run home by Pablo Sandoval, and that was all the Giants needed against the weak hitting Padres offense.

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