San Francisco-Pittsburgh: Matt Cain Gets Run Support, but Still Loses

San Francisco right-hander Matt Cain has been unlucky during the last couple of seasons, suffering from a lack of offensive support, and is 8-19 in 40 starts since the beginning of the 2007 season.

The Giants broke through for four runs for Cain on Thursday afternoon—Cain himself had two hits and drove in a run to help out his own cause—but it didn’t stop the righty from losing yet again.

This time, it was thanks to a blown call on a bunt play in the decisive seventh inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates overcame a 4-2 deficit to knock off the star-crossed Cain and the Giants, 5-4, completing a three-game sweep.

With Pittsburgh down 4-2 in the seventh, Pirates pinch-hitter Nyjer Morgan bunted down the third-base line and was thrown out on a close play, but umpire Ron Kulpa erroneously ruled Morgan safe.

Cain promptly served up two doubles—which tied the game—and was chased from the game.

Later in the inning, Adam LaRoche singled off reliever Jack Taschner with two outs to drive home the go-ahead run, which was charged to Cain.

Cain is now 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA this season.

Heading into the contest, the Giants had scored only 113 runs, the lowest number in the majors. And with San Francisco having a weak lineup and in a rebuilding year, it appears Cain will continue to receive very few runs throughout the season.

In the odd times the Giants have scored runs, Cain has been victimized by a weak bullpen or, in Thursday’s case, a blown call.

How bad has it been for Cain this season?

-In his last start, Cain surrendered just three hits—including two solo home runs—in seven innings in Philadelphia, but the Giants struck out ten times and scored just twice off Brett Myers (5.11 ERA). Cain departed with the score tied 2-2, and the Giants lost in extra innings.

-On April 23, Cain allowed just one run in seven innings against the San Diego Padres, but was on the short end of a 1-0 score heading into the ninth thanks to Greg Maddux. The Giants tied it in the ninth, but Cain was stuck with the no-decision.

-On April 12, the Giants staked Cain to a 5-0 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, but the bullpen coughed up a three-run lead in the eighth. Cain allowed only three hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings.

-In his first start of the year on April’s Fools, Cain pitched shutout-ball into the sixth against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Giants couldn’t solve Derek Lowe either. The Dodgers eventually loaded the bases against the tiring Cain in the sixth, and the right-hander was removed with the score still 0-0. San Fran lost the game in the bottom of the ninth inning.

With better luck and a better team, Cain could well have at least five victories by now.

Yet, Cain has only one win in eight starts this season. Given the way things have gone so far, it could continue to be an ugly year indeed.