Cain turns in solid start as Giants edge Indians
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Matt Cain became the first Giants starter during this spring to pitch into the fourth inning as San Francisco outlasted a Cleveland Indians split squad, 3-2, to snap an eight-game Cactus League losing streak Monday.
Cain, the former staff ace whose performance has been derailed by injuries since 2013, worked 3 1/3 innings while yielding two runs and two hits. He's competing for the fifth starter's spot in the Giants' rotation along with left-hander Ty Blach, who followed Cain to the mound and gave up three hits in 2 2/3 innings while allowing a runner inherited from Cain to score.
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"I feel like we're moving in the right direction," said Cain, noting that his improved health has helped him focus on pitching instead of healing. "Instead of sitting there hoping I can physically make the next start, it's nice to be able to work on things between starts and be able to fine-tune things."
Cleveland's Greg Allen blooped a single to right field, stole second base and came home on Abraham Almonte's single to open the scoring in the first inning. San Francisco jumped ahead in the second inning as Aaron Hill belted an RBI double and scored on Kyle Blanks' single, the second and final run allowed by Indians starter Danny Salazar in 2 1/3 innings. Erik Kratz's run-scoring double off Blach tied the score in the fourth.
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Kelby Tomlinson's sacrifice fly plated the go-ahead run in the seventh after Blanks hit a triple that Cleveland outfielders lost in the sun.
Indians Up Next: Following a team off-day Tuesday, the Indians will send righty Carlos Carrasco to the mound against the Mariners in a 9:10 p.m. ET Cactus League clash in Peoria, live on MLB.TV. Big league relievers Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Boone Logan and Dan Otero are also scheduled to pitch for Cleveland.
Giants Up Next: A small helping of regular-season-level intensity could be served up Tuesday when the Giants travel to Camelback Ranch to face their traditional rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, at 12:05 p.m. PT. Giants left-hander Matt Moore will oppose the National League's most formidable lefty of all, Clayton Kershaw.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.