Matt Cain bookends Giants futile week

May 24, 12:13 AMSan Francisco Giants ExaminerTheo Fightmaster

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Cain's numbers are finally reflecting his performances. AP Jim Bryant

Since beating the Mets in his last start Sunday, Matt Cain and the Giants had been unable to get them selves back in the win column. In the four games after Cain's victory the Giants were playing out their deepest fears; good pitching muted by complete offensive ineptitude.

Coming into Saturday night's game against the Seattle Mariners (M's Examiner) the Giants were 0-4 on the road trip, they had squeaked out only 5 runs, and hit just .180 as a team.

That however may not accent the real agony of this pre June swoon; four one-run losses, despite allowing only nine runs in 37 innings.

Thus is the problem with the 2009 Giants; they will get solid efforts on a nearly daily basis from their starters, but it seems they are destined to be wasted.

Cain's start Saturday looked like it was taking that usual form, until the eighth inning.

With two outs and nobody on trailing 1-0, Bengie Molina sparked a five run rally with a long single. The runs didn't come easily however as it took a second two out hit, and a full count walk to load the bases before Juan Uribe's three run double. The hit broke an 18 inning scoreless streak that started in the second inning Friday night. Fred Lewis then followed with a two run homer on a swing that you'd have expected to result in a flare to the opposite field. Instead it was a titanic shot that nearly found the second deck in right. A nice break for Lewis who has been scuffling, and also a sign of his natural (though still raw) talents.

Prior to the five run rally it looked as if Cain was going to be tagged for the loss despite only giving up one earned run. A familiar story for a man who has lost 13 career games in starts when he's only given up two earned runs.

Cain, who more than most pitchers appreciates just a little run support, ensured the late outburst wasn't wasted. He worked through a hit in the eighth and the ninth to pick up his fifth win on the season, and his fifth complete game for his career. The new stopper, who is now 4-0 in '09 following a Giants' loss, needed only 111 pitches (81 strikes) thanks to two double plays he coaxed, and no free passes to pick up the win.

Speaking of runs, despite the nice eighth inning, this team is still an offensive zero. Just think about the disadvantage they're at when they play in an AL park? They don't have eight legitimate big league hitters on most nights, now they need to come up with a ninth. I wouldn't have been entirely surprised to see Cain in the DH spot, instead it was Pablo Sandoval who is fighting a tender right elbow.

Before the game Brian Sabean met with reporters and admitted that he is looking for a bat, and is willing to trade "minor league talent" but "non-impact prospects." The other side to the trade issue is that it takes a willing partner. And in mid May, recession or not, few teams will be willing to trade away potent hitters. Nick Johnson of the Nationals is the name on everybody's list, but with the season he's having and this being a contract year for him the Giants may be tentative to engage in a possible rent a player transaction; especially when this division is nearly out of hand.

Another avenue is one from Fresno. Jesus Guzman and Kevin Frandsen may be afforded some real playing time at the expense of Travis Ishikawa and Emmanuel Burriss. But while we're at it why isn't Juan Uribe starting on this team? He will likely be back at third Sunday with Sandoval aching, but from there it's uncertain.

Guzman did pick up his first big league hit Saturday, but he didn't do it alone. After hitting a grounded shot that was caught on a dive by Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre, Beltre tried to get up and force out the runner Winn at second, but he stumbled and was unable to make an out. The official scorer at Safeco Field ruled it a fielders choice until the Giants director of media relations Jim Moorehead was able to sway the call, and Guzman has a big league batting average.

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