Cain makes final case for rotation spot

MESA, Ariz. -- Matt Cain, vying to secure the fifth starter spot, gave up four runs over 5 1/3 innings and helped himself by hitting a two-run double in the Giants' 10-7 win over the Cubs on Tuesday in front of the largest home crowd this spring, 15,513, at Sloan Park.
The Giants are considering Cain or Ty Blach for the last spot in the rotation, and Cain kept himself in contention with his outing, his seventh appearance this spring. The right-hander retired the first seven batters he faced before Jake Arrieta singled with one out in the Cubs third. Chesny Young then homered to left. One of the runs charged to Cain scored when Josh Osich allowed hits to three of the four batters he faced in relief of Cain in the sixth.

"I know that I'm ready to be able to throw the ball the way I need to and I know that I finished spring being good with all my pitches and my mechanics," said Cain, who finished the Cactus League with a 7.82 ERA after allowing five hits, walking one and striking out five.

Cain refused to speculate about his status on the pitching staff. But he sounded as if he'll be surprised not to be named the No. 5 starter.
"I've been going out every fifth day," he said. "That's the mindset I'm going to keep going with, and we'll see what happens."
Denard Span launched Arrieta's second pitch of the game onto the right-field berm for his second spring home run. Two outs later, Brandon Crawford doubled and then scored on Jarrett Parker's single to go ahead 2-0. Arrieta did face eight batters that inning and struck out the side.

"There's still some things we'll continue to work on, but that's the story of the season," Arrieta said of his outing.
With one out in the Giants' second, Span reached on a bunt single, stole second and then scored on a wild pitch by Arrieta as the ball skipped past catcher Miguel Montero.
Arrieta singled with one out in the third and Young followed with his third spring homer to pull within 3-2. After Cain put the Giants up by three, Javier Báez singled home a run, Tommy La Stella doubled in another off Osich, and Ian Happ hit a two-run double to give the Cubs the lead.

Arrieta finished with seven strikeouts over four innings. His next start will be April 4, the second game of the regular season, against the Cardinals.
"Everybody's hungry," Arrieta said of the feeling in the Cubs clubhouse. "One thing that stands out for me is health -- everybody's healthy. Everybody's getting the work load they need. ... I don't think anybody is complacent. I think we're happy with where we're at. Guys are working, guys getting their reps and guys are hungry."
The Giants scored five runs in the ninth on Chris Marrero's three-run homer, and solo shots by Justin Ruggiano and Tim Federowicz.

Giants Up Next: After a welcome scheduled day off at home Wednesday, the Giants will begin the three-game Bay Bridge Series on Thursday against the A's at AT&T Park. Game time is 7:15 p.m. PT, live on MLB.TV, as San Francisco right-hander Johnny Cueto will oppose Oakland lefty Sean Manaea.
Cubs Up Next: The Cubs wrap up Cactus League action Wednesday when they play host to the Athletics at Sloan Park in Mesa. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT. John Lackey gets the start as the Cubs say goodbye to Mesa. The Cubs are expected to set a record in attendance at home. They've been averaging slightly more than 15,000 per game at Sloan Park.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.