Recap: Giants Lose 2-1, No Run Support For Cain

Sep 24, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher

(18) pitches the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at AT

Matt Cain once again pitched 7 innings of quality baseball. Once again the Giants could not score runs for him as they lost to the Dodgers 2-1 at AT&T Park tonight.

Matt Cain has now allowed 3 runs or less in each of his last 12 starts. The Giants have managed to revert to their old ways and have lost 7 of his last 8 starts.

It was another typical low scoring game for these Giants who have scored 4 runs total in their last 4 games. They could not break out against Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu. He held them to 4 hits over 7 innings and only one run.

The scoring got started in the top of the 5th inning when Yasiel Puig hit a solo home run to center field. It was the first pitch of the at bat. In his previous plate appearence Puig was hit by Cain on the hip. He didn’t act like the kid we have seen in recent weeks and just put his head down and went to first base. Maybe he’s learning. I agree with Curley, Giants pitchers need to learn to stop throwing him strikes on the first pitch.

Tony Abreu put some life back in to the ballpark with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the 5th. With one out he deposited a 0-1 fastball in the seats in left center field. On the broadcast Kruk & Kuip said that Abreu was putting on a show in batting practice. Nice to see the results during the game.

Alas, the long ball got Cain again. Leading off the top of the 6th inning Matt Kemp hit a home run to center field to put the Dodgers back up 2-1. The home run has been a problem for Cain all season and it again got him on this night.

There was some fun to be had tonight. Puig did show his youth in the top of the 7th. After Ryu led off with a single Puig flailed at a bunt and missed. It looked like he did it on his own and it caught the runner Ryu by surprise. He wandered off first and Buster Posey threw him out. So much fun to watch and thanks to @gidget for the wonderful gif.

Heath Hembree continued to impress as he pitched a scoreless top of the 8th. The number 38 has found a new home in the Giants clubhouse. According to Alex Pavlovic, Hembree has dominated since the call up.

Brian Wilson made his first appearence at AT&T Park since he joined the Dodgers in the bottom of the 8th inning. He was greeted with a mix of boos and cheers. The broadcast said there were more cheers, but it clearly sounded like more boos, and folks at the game confirmed that on Twitter. The Giants couldn’t do anything against Wilson as he retired the side on 10 pitches.

In the top of the 9th inning Ehire Adrianza made a tremendous play. He ranged far to his right deep in the hole on a Puig grounder. He turned and fired to first base flat footed to get the speedy Puig. The kid has showed an impressive arm and great range and Giants fans are impressed.

The Giants tried to put a rally together in the bottom of the 9th against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. Posey singled to right field with one out. Francisco Peguero pinch ran for Buster and moved to second on a wild pitch. It was the first time the Giants had a runner in scoring position all night. Hunter Pence then struck out swinging and Pablo Sandoval did the same. The Giants lost 2-1.

The Giants will try to bounce back tomorrow night as Barry Zito (4-11, 5.91) will be making his final start in a Giants uniform. Madison Bumgarner has been shut down for the remainder of the season. The Dodgers will counter with Ricky Nolasco (8-2, 3.14). The last time the Giants faced Nolasco they scored 19 runs in LA. First pitch tomorrow night is 7:15 pt.