Giants get back Cain, but shut out again by Diamondbacks 6-0
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants manager Bruce Bochy has no explanation.
Arizona just has San Francisco's number.
There was one sliver of good news for the Giants in their 6-0 loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday, though: The return of Matt Cain.
Cain pitched an inning, his second career relief appearance and the first in over nine years.
Cain hadn't pitched since Aug. 25 due to pain in his throwing elbow. He allowed a run on one hit, walked two and struck out two.
"There was a little bit of rust early in the inning, but I was a lot more consistent later on," Cain said. "There was no discomfort."
The Diamondbacks improved to 8-1 in San Francisco this season and will be going for their second series sweep of the Giants on Sunday.
"I wish I could explain it. I'm buffaloed," Bochy said. "There's no rhyme or reason. I think we've scored three runs in the last six games against them. We just couldn't get it going. They've done a number on us. I'm a little stunned to be honest."
The Giants were shut out in back-to-back games for the first time in three years and have not scored against D-backs pitchers at AT&T Park the past 30 innings, dating to June 13.
"We can talk about what we don't have, but what's the purpose?" Bochy said. "I thought we threw a pretty good lineup out there. Getting shut out back-to-back is something I would not have thought would happen. We need someone to come through with runners in scoring position."
The Giants had one runner reach third base and were 0 for 5 with men in scoring position, leaving seven on base.
Rookie Trevor Brown went 0 for 3 in his debut, but earned promising reviews defensively.
"The kid did all right," Bochy said. "He receives the ball well."
Giants starter Mike Leake wished he could have spent more than three innings pitching to him.
"He looked pretty good," Leake said. "I'd like to work with him again."
The Diamondbacks set a team record with their sixth straight win in San Francisco.
Patrick Corbin (6-4) pitched seven sharp innings and helped his own cause with an RBI single, Ender Inciarte had three hits and two RBIs, while David Peralta and A.J. Pollock added three hits apiece for Arizona.
Leake (10-9) took the loss for San Francisco, which began the day 8 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. The Giants have lost three of their past four games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Giants: 1B Brandon Belt has been diagnosed with a concussion and isn't likely to be in the lineup for a few days. Belt was initially injured Tuesday while sliding into second base. He played the next day but was pulled out of Friday's loss to Arizona after complaining that he couldn't keep his focus. "He showed symptoms last night and that's what we're treating him for," manager Bruce Bochy said.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (9-9) will make his second start since coming off the disabled list. Hellickson beat the Giants at their waterfront ballpark earlier this season.
Giants: RHP Tim Hudson (7-8) pitches the series finale for San Francisco. Hudson continues to be bothered by his hip but has allowed only two earned runs over his previous four starts.