by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (11:00 am ET) Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain enters Tuesday's start against the Padres pitching more like his past All-Star form in recent outings. Cain is 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA and .140 opponents' batting average in his last two starts since getting tagged for seven runs June 1 against the Cardinals.
"I feel like I'm throwing the ball like I want," Cain said, per MLB.com. "I'm just trying to eliminate the big inning."
Cain has allowed six or more runs in four starts and owns a 4.70 ERA through 14 starts.
Matt Cain pitches 6 2/3 scoreless innings in win
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (6/13/2013) Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain surrendered just two hits and two walks in 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Pirates Thursday, striking out three and picking up his fifth win of the season.
Cain held the opposition scoreless for the first time since opening day to lower his ERA to 4.70. He'll face the Padres at home Tuesday.
Matt Cain bounces back in no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (6/8/2013) Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain, who surrendered seven runs in his previous start, bounced back with one of his best efforts of the season but did not factor in the decision Friday night against the Diamondbacks. Cain allowed just four hits and three walks while striking out four in seven scoreless innings of work.
Cain has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at Pittsburgh. He is 2-2 with a 5.27 ERA in seven starts away from AT&T Park.
Third inning proves Matt Cain's downfall
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (6/1/2013) Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain only had one bad inning Saturday against the Cardinals, but it was more than enough to cost him the game.
With the exception of the third, Cain was on the top of his game; unfortunately, the third proved to be one of his worst innings of the season. Cain gave up seven runs on nine hits in that inning alone, more than erasing the good of his five perfect innings otherwise.
Cain gave up seven runs on nine hits in six innings, while striking out nine and walking none. He threw 101 pitches in the outing, while taking his third loss of the season in the Giants' 8-0 defeat. Cain's ERA rose to 5.45 with the outing, as he matched a season high in runs allowed.
Cain will try to bounce back in his next start, scheduled for Friday against the Diamondbacks.
Shelby Miller and Matt Cain rained out, pushed to Saturday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/31/2013) Friday's series' opener between the Giants and Cardinals was postponed due to a severe storm system making its way near Busch Stadium. The game will be made up Saturday with a day-night doubleheader. Friday's starters Shelby Miller and Matt Cain will take the mound for the first game.
Matt Cain walks five in win over Rockies
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/26/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain walked a season-high five batters but escaped with his fourth win Sunday against the Rockies.
Cain (4-2) surrendered a two-run double to Michael Cuddyer in the first, the only runs he allowed. He gave up two hits and struck out six in five innings of a 7-3 victory.
Cain has allowed four runs over his last 12 innings. He has struck out 13 and walked seven over that span. His next start is Friday at St. Louis. He is 1-1 with a 5.46 ERA in five starts away from AT&T Park.
Matt Cain Ks seven in no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain turned in a solid performance as he struck out seven but did not factor in the decision Tuesday night against the Nationals.
Cain ran into trouble early on as he allowed a run-scoring doubles to both Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond in the opening frame. He bounced back with six scoreless innings before his night was over. The right-hander yielded two runs, four hits and walked two over seven innings of work in a 4-2 win in extras.
Cain has allowed two runs ore fewer in each of his last three starts at home. He is scheduled to make his next start Monday at Oakland. He allowed one run and three hits over seven innings of work in his previous meeting against the A's in 2012.
Latest meltdown excusable for Matt Cain
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/17/2013) Yes, those nine home runs Matt Cain allowed in his first six starts were frustrating, but the Giants ace seemed to get back on track with dominant outings May 5 and May 10, allowing just one home run between the two.
So what happened in his latest start Thursday, when he allowed three home runs and six earned runs in 6 1/3 innings?
For starters, he was pitching at Coors Field -- and not the snow-covered Coors Field we've seen for much of the season, but the one that typically accompanies 81-degree temperatures (you know, suitable baseball weather).
After a couple of years of relatively fair play with the introduction of the humidor, Coors Field was back to being kryptonite for many of the pitchers who came through there last year. Now that the weather is back to normal, I have a feeling Cain won't be the only notable pitcher to suffer from its effects.
Matt Cain roughed up by Rockies
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/17/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain was knocked around but escaped with his third win of the season Thursday night against the Padres.
Cain (3-2), who made his ninth start of the season, had a hard time keeping the ball in the park as he surrendered home runs to Todd Helton, Nick Arenado and Wilin Rosario. The right-hander was charged with six runs and eight hits over 6 1/3 innings of work. He struck out six and walked two in an 8-6 win.
Cain has won three consecutive decisions and has watched his ERA drop from 6.49 to 5.43 over that span. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at home against the Nationals. He is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA in his last two starts at AT&T Park.
Matt Cain prepares for start at home
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/15/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain did not travel with the club for its two-game series in Toronto, manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday. The right-hander remained home in San Francisco, where he threw a bullpen session on Sunday.
Bochy said he did not want any unexpected travel delays to hinder Cain before his start Thursday against the Rockies in Colorado.
"What didn't make sense is to bring him up here for two days," Bochy told MLB.com. "We told him to [stay behind]."
Cain is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA through two starts in May.
Matt Cain improves to 2-2
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain continued to pitch well as he enjoyed another solid performance en route to an 8-2 win over the Braves.
Cain (2-2), who made his eighth start of the season, served up a two-run home run to Brian McCann in the fifth for his only damage off the night. The right-hander was charged with two runs and three hits over eight innings of work. He struck out seven and walked two in 114 pitches, 68 strikes.
Cain has won his last two decisions. He has yielded three runs in his last 15 1/3 innings of work during that stretch. The 28-year-old is scheduled to start Thursday at Colorado. He is 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in his last four starts -- including a complete game -- at Coors Field.
Matt Cain picks up first win of the season
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) It took seven starts, but Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain got back on track with his first win of the season Sunday night against the Dodgers.
Cain tossed seven scoreless innings before surrendering his only run of the night in the eighth. He was charged with one run and five hits in 7 1/3 innings of work in a 4-3 victory. He struck out four and walked three in 109 pitches, 68 strikes.
Cain has allowed five runs, struck out 10 and walked seven in his last 13 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander has lowered his ERA from 6.59 to 5.57 over that span. Cain is scheduled to take the hill Friday at home against Atlanta. He is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his last two starts against the Braves.
Matt Cain taking heat
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Given Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain's track record, to call his start to the season "concerning" would be a massive understatement. After surrendering three more home runs Monday against Arizona, Cain has an 0-2 record and 6.49 ERA through his first six starts. What is wrong with him?
The biggest issue has been his fastball. Entering the season, Cain had allowed a .256 batting average and .427 slugging percentage on fastballs. This season, batters are hitting .264 but have a .528 slugging percentage against that fastball. His velocity is down from 91.1 miles per hour to 90.7, which is certainly noteworthy, but not indicative of a massive drop in ability.
Cain's strikeout rate and walk rate are both better than his career norms, in line with the idea that his stuff is not significantly different all-around. Cain is generating fewer groundballs -- 37.4 percent in 2012, 34.9 percent in 2013 -- but the rise in home runs seems out of line with what we would expect. Nearly one in five (20 percent) of his flyballs have gone over the fence, compared to 7.1 percent for his career. Even a slight rise in flyballs does not explain his struggles.
Waching Cain, he does not seem as sharp as the ace we have come to know, but it seems unlikely that this is the new bar by which we will judge him. By the end of this season, we will probably come to view this as just the worst month of his season. You probably invested an early pick in Cain, and you simply cannot think about trading him while his value is at the lowest. Trust in his track record, and expect him to turn it around after this rought stretch.
Matt Cain surrenders three homers
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Giants starter Matt Cain was unable to pick up his first win on Monday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed four runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- with four walks over six innings of work.
Cain (0-2) gave up all of his damage in the fourth when he surrendered a two-run homer to Jason Kubel and Eric Chavez followed with a solo shot of his own. Martin Prado added another solo bomb off the right-hander.
The 28-year-old was done after throwing 96 pitches, 61 for strikes, and left with the score tied at 4-4. He also struck out six in the no-decision.
His next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Dodgers. When Cain faced Los Angeles on opening day, he worked six scoreless innings in the no-decision.
Matt Cain still without a win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain was unable to get into the win column once again on Tuesday night against the Diamondbacks. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits over six innings of work.
The right-hander was tagged with a two-spot in the first before surrendering a two-run homer to Paul Goldschmidt in the third. He cruised after that and was done after throwing 90 pitches, 60 for strikes.
Cain left in line for the loss but his teammates were able to battle back to tie the game. He also struck out six and walked one in a no-decision.
The 28-year-old is scheduled to pitch next on Monday against the Diamondbacks.
Doesn't get any better for Matt Cain
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) The Giants lost for the fourth time in six games and fell to 0-4 when Matt Cain pitches during Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Brewers.
Cain (0-2) gave up seven earned runs -- all coming in the first three innings -- and seven hits, while striking out four in six innings.
Cain gave up home runs to Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy and opposing pitcher Yovani Gallardo. Cain did not allow a home run in his first two games but has served up five in his past two outings. He has also given up 18 earned runs and 21 hits in his past three starts. Thursday was also the fourth time Gallardo and Cain squared off, and all have been at Miller Park. Gallardo improved to 3-1 against Cain.
Cain's ERA jumped from 5.94 to 7.15. He will look to get back on track in his next start Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. Cain is 13-6 with a 3.34 ERA in 27 career starts against Arizona. He was 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA in four starts against Arizona last season.
Matt Cain still searching for win
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Cain (0-1) allowed two runs and seven hits over seven innings during the Giants' 4-3 loss to the Cubs on Friday. Cain, who surrendered both runs on a pair of solo homers to David DeJesus and Starlin Castro, avoided his second straight loss after San Francisco took the lead in the ninth inning.
He finished with six strikeouts and two walks during his longest outing of the young season, but remained winless in three starts. The right-hander went without a win in four straight outings to begin the 2010 campaign to match the longest drought of his career.
Cain will look to halt his slide during his next projected start Thursday at Milwaukee. He went 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in two games against the Brewers last season.
Matt Cain has historically bad outing
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Giants starter Matt Cain was roughed up in Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals.
Cain (0-1), who made his second start of the season, didn't last long. He retired the first nine batters and ran into trouble in the fourth. The right-hander was charged with nine runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings of work in a 14-3 defeat. He also struck out two and walked two on 66 pitches; 39 for strikes.
Cain became the first Giants pitcher to give up nine or more runs in a single inning since John Cronin on September of 1902. He has a 8.38 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP through two starts.
The 28-year-old, who tossed a perfect game last season, will try to get back on track in his next start Friday on the road against the Cubs. He allowed five runs in five innings of work in his only 2012 appearance at Wrigley Field. Cain went 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in two starts last season against the Cubs
Matt Cain blanks Dodgers over six
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013) Giants starter Matt Cain had a solid showing in Monday's season opener against the Dodgers but it was not as impressive as his counterpart -- Clayton Kershaw.
Cain worked six scoreless innings, giving up four hits while striking out eight. He also walked one while throwing 92 pitches 55 for strikes.
The right-hander left with the game tied at 0-0 and Kershaw went on to pitch a compete-game shutout.
Matt Cain makes final tune-up before opener
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain made his final tune-up before the start of the regular season. He threw 96 pitches against minor-leaguers on a back field at Scottsdale Stadium Tuesday morning. Cain worked at length on throwing pitches low and away to right-handers, according to the Mercury News.
He is scheduled to take the mound opening day for the Giants against the Dodgers April 1.
"It'll be memorable for me," he said. "It's one of those spots you've got to work for and earn."
Matt Cain rocked vs. Colorado
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013) Giants right-hander Matt Cain was roughed up during Thursday's Cactus League outing against the Rockies. Cain, who made his fifth start of the spring, allowed a run on a groundball out in the first and a two-run home run to Willin Rosario in the second.
He yielded four runs on seven hits in five innings of work. Cain also struck out eight and did not issue a walk as his ERA rose from 3.60 to 4.50 this spring. He is scheduled to start opening day for the Giants against the Dodgers on April 1.
Matt Cain dominant vs. Rangers
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/15/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain turned in a dominant performance in Friday's game against the Rangers in Cactus League play.
Cain, who made his fifth start of the spring, tossed five scoreless innings and allowed just two hits in a 5-2 victory. He also struck out two and did not issue a walk as he improved his ERA to 3.60.
"I felt good in the bullpen (warming up before the game)," Cain said. "I thought about where I wanted to throw. I was confident throwing whatever I wanted. The misses weren't as big."
Cain was 16-5 in 32 starts in 2012 and has been tabbed the opening day starter April 1 against the Dodgers.
Cain getting under control
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/10/2013) Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain yielded only one run and four hits over three innings during San Francisco's Cactus League outing against Milwaukee on Sunday. Cain, the team's opening day starter, made his fourth start of the spring and tallied four strikeouts and a walk. Sunday's appearance also represented the second straight game Cain did not permit a home run after being taken deep twice in his first two outings.
Cain off to rough start
(3/4/2013) Giants pitcher Matt Cain gave up seven runs (three earned) in his first two Cactus League starts and got touched up a bit again on Monday against the White Sox. He entered in the fifth and allowed two runs on five hits over three innings of work. The right-hander also struck out one and walked one while running his spring ERA to 6.43.
Knee no problem for Cain
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (2/28/2013) Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain did not seem bothered by his bruised right knee Thursday, as he tossed three innings in a Cactus League game against the Mariners. Cain threw 42 pitches in his three innings of work, allowed three earned runs on four hits and a walk. One of the hits was a solo home run by Nick Franklin, during a two-run second inning. Cain did strike out a pair of batters, while picking up the loss in a 4-3 game.
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/24/2013) San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Cain surrendered four runs -- all unearned -- and four hits in just one inning during the Giants' 4-3 loss to the Cubs in Cactus League action Sunday. Cain, who was named the club's opening day starter last week, failed to record a strikeout and did not issue a walk. Three of his runs allowed came on a homer by catcher Dioner Navarro as he faced eight batters in his lone inning of work. Cain also said he does not expect to miss any playing time after he was drilled by a line drive by Alfonso Soriano on the side of his right knee. "Maybe I should start using my glove," he said.
Cain tabbed for opening day
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/18/2013) San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Cain will take the first assignment for the Giants when they begin defense of their World Series title April 1 at the Los Angeles Dodgers. He becomes the first pitcher other than Tim Lincecum to start opening day in the past three years. Cain finished with a career-high 16 wins last year while also improving his command for a glistening 1.04 WHIP -- his third straight season with a mark less than 1.10. The right-hander also sported an ERA of 3.01 or less for the remainder of the season after his first start.
Raising Cain anchoring staff
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/16/2013) San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Cain was in the midst of a six-game winning streak when he took the hill against Houston last June. That outing turned out to be the highlight of perhaps his finest major-league season as he retired all 27 batters he faced -- 14 via strikeout -- for his first career perfect game. Cain finished with a career-high 16 wins last year while also improving his command for a glistening 1.04 WHIP -- his third straight season with a mark less than 1.10. The right-hander also sported an ERA of 3.01 or less for the remainder of the season after his first start.
