Cain records fourth straight win, Giants beat Cardinals

SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain pitched six-hit ball into the seventh inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Friday night.

Pablo Sandoval drove in a pair of runs for the Giants, who won their fourth straight and fifth in six games overall. Fred Lewis and Emmanuel Burriss also drove in runs.

Albert Pujols had two hits and scored a run for the Cardinals, who lost for the third time in 10 games. Colby Rasmus drove in a run and Ryan Ludwick, in his first game back off the disabled list, scored on a throwing error.

Cain (6-1) gave up two runs — one earned — on six hits in 6 1-3 innings. He walked two and struck out five. He’s won his last four decisions.

Joel Pineiro (5-5) pitched a season-low four innings, allowing four runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

Cain has pitched at least six innings in all 10 of his starts and allowed two or fewer runs in eight of them. He retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced.

Jeremy Affledt got the final two outs of the seventh, Bob Howry pitched a perfect eighth and Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 14 chances.

Pineiro hasn’t had much success at the Giants’ new ballpark in two starts. He’s given up 10 earned runs in 7 2-3 innings here. He was looking to become the first pitcher since Greg Maddux in 1995 to record five straight starts of no walks and no home runs.

Aaron Rowand, who has hit safely in all nine games since assuming the leadoff spot, doubled to open the first. With one out, Randy Winn walked and Bengie Molina was hit by a pitch.

Sandoval, after missing the past four games with tightness in his right elbow, singled home two runs to put the Giants ahead, 2-0.

Lewis tripled in a run and scored when Burriss singled to give the Giants a 4-0 edge in the fourth.

Pujols singled and Ludwick walked with one out in the sixth. After Rasmus singled home a run, a throwing error on an attempted double play allowed the second run to score, cutting the Giants lead in half.

Notes: Giants RHP Sergio Romo (right elbow sprain) was activated

from the 15-day DL while INF Kevin Frandsen was shipped to Triple-A Fresno. … Cardinals SS Khalil Greene went on the disabled list with social anxiety disorder. Ludwick was activated off the DL. … Opponents are hitting .109 (5 for 46) against Cain with runners in scoring position. … Pineiro fell to 0-3 against the Giants in seven appearances.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Snohomish sophomore Deyton Wheat (22) celebrates his go-ahead, three-run home run with senior Brayden Holscher (11) during the Panthers' 4-2 win against Monroe in a District 1 3A consolation game in Woodinville, Washington on May 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Brea Bursch / Snohomish Baseball)
Snohomish, Shorewood earn state baseball tourney berths

Panthers top Monroe 4-2, Stormrays blank Edmonds-Woodway 7-0 in District 1 3A consolation.

Jackson High School's Kyle Peacocke hands the 2023 WIAA class 4A softball championship trophy to the team after their win in Richland, Wash., on Sat., May 27. (TJ Mullinax/for The Herald)
Prep state tournaments set to begin this week

Here’s a look at where local teams will open tournament play.

The Shorewood boys soccer team celebrates with their trophy after winning the District 1 3A title on May 17, 2025 at Shoreline Stadium. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer storms to district three-peat

An early penalty lifts the Stormrays to a 1-0 win over Monroe in the title game.

File Photo: Stanwood senior Gavin Gehrman delivers a pitch during the Spartans' 8-3 win against Arlington in Stanwood, Washington on March 19, 2025. In Stanwood's 7-4 loss to Mount Vernon in the District 1 3A Championship on May 17, 2025, Gehrman went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Stanwood baseball slips in District 1 3A Championship

The Spartans’ early 3-0 lead crumbles as Mount Vernon wins 7-4 in comeback.

Weekend prep baseball roundup for May 16-17

Reese Logsdon leads Archbishop Murphy to state.

Weekend prep boys soccer roundup for May 16-17

Warriors, Wildcats, Scots advance to state.

Jackson’s Matea Lopez and Allie Thomsen leap in the air and high five during the 4A District 1 game against Lake Stevens on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Weekend prep softball roundup for May 16-17

Jackson takes third in bi-district tournament.

Stanwood players cheer as pitcher Addi Anderson lifts the 3A District 1 Championship trophy in the air after beating Sedro-Woolley for the title on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood softball ekes out District 1 3A title

The Spartans defeat top seed Sedro-Woolley 2-1 in 10 innings thanks to Addi Anderson’s gem.

Snohomish’s Abby Edwards yells after beating Edmonds-Woodway in the 3A District 1 consolation game on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish softball punches state tournament ticket

The Panthers stay hot after slow start to season with 12-2 win against Edmonds-Woodway.

Weekend prep track and field roundup for May 15-17

Weekend prep track & field roundup for May 15-17: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers:… Continue reading

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 4-10

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 4-10. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Lake Stevens shortstop Aspen Alexander nearly makes a sliding play in the field during a playoff loss to Bothell on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep baseball roundup for Thursday, May 15

Lake Stevens clinches first state berth in eight years.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.