World Series Game 2: Matt Cain Able To Lead Giants To Victory

Much has been made of the Giants' Tim Lincecum and the Rangers' Cliff Lee, and with good reason.

But after that matchup failed to produce the expected pitching duel, the Giants' Matt Cain more than filled the ace role for San Francisco as they took a two games to none lead in the World Series, winning 9-0.

It's about time we recognized Cain for the stud pitcher he is. After finishing the 2010 season with a 3.14 ERA and 177 K's with 61 walks in over 223 innings, the Giants' number two starter has been number one in the postseason.

Cain has now gone more than 22 innings without giving up an earned run.

But the game two victory took more than just the pitching of Matt Cain.

Rangers Starting Pitching Has Been Disappointing

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: C.J. Wilson #36 of the Texas Rangers looks down at his fingers while in the dugout after being taken out of the game in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park

Yes, the Texas pitching, which held up well against the supposedly tougher AL competition, has not done so well against the Giants.

Even the great Cliff Lee was a dud in game one, and now CJ Wilson pitches decently but leaves with a blister after six innings.

Lee, who had been undefeated in the playoffs in his career, had an unsightly pitching line against the Giants: four and two-thirds innings, eight hits and six earned runs.

Rangers Relief Pitching Has Been Even Worse

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Derek Holland #45 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/G

As much as Cliff Lee was roughed up in game one, his bullpen fared even worse. In game two, the bullpen struggled yet again.

Derek Holland gave up three earned runs and three walks without getting a single out.

Mark Lowe continued to get hit hard as he followed up his awful game one performance with another stinker tonight. Lowe has a 67.50 ERA in the the World Series.

In all, Texas relief pitchers gave up seven earned runs after relieving Wilson in game two.

That just ain't going to get it done, folks.

Giants' "Misfits" Continue To Produce

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: Edgar Renteria #16 of the San Francisco Giants hits a two-run single in the eighth inning while taking on the Texas Rangers in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park on October 28, 2010 in San Francisco, California

Tonight, it was Edgar Renteria who came up big for the Giants, with two hits, a home run and three RBI. Juan Uribe drove in two runs and even Aaron Rowand contributed a two-run triple.

It was supposed to be the Rangers with the big bats, and maybe this will change in Texas, but so far it has been the Giants producing at the plate.

The Big Inning Continues To Haunt The Rangers

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates scoring a run with teammate Juan Uribe #5 in the eighth inning while taking on the Texas Rangers in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park on October 28, 2010

On Wednesday, it was a six-run fifth inning and tonight, it was a seven-run eighth inning.

In both cases, Rangers pitchers were roughed up despite striking out a ton of Giants hitters. 20 Giants hitters struck out in the two games, but it didn't matter as they scored runs by the bunches.

Meanwhile, Giants pitchers have only struck out seven Texas hitters.

It's a crazy game.

Rangers Manager Ron Washington Again Makes Pitching Moves Too Late

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: Manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers walks to the mound in the eighth inning while taking on the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park on October 28, 2010 in San Francisco, Californi

The Giants broke the game open in the eighth inning tonight as manager Ron Washington allowed Derek Holland to throw 12 consecutive balls.

Meanwhile, Washington waited too long to pull Cliff Lee in game one.

With the bullpen he has, it's tough to blame him, but it seems so far that he has been out-managed by Bruce Bochy.