Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pirate batters have combined for 38 strikeouts, 2 walks last four games
Pitching 11 days after signing a new six year, $127.5 million contract, Matt Cain threw a one-hitter, allowing only a single by Pittsburgh pitcher James McDonald in the sixth inning during a near-perfect performance Friday as the San Francisco Giants beat the Pirates 5-0 in their home opener.
Cain went the distance, striking out 11 and permitting just a single runner. McDonald, a career .069 hitter coming into the game, hit a sharp single to left field with two outs in the sixth inning.
Cain (1-0) pitched his third career one-hitter, his fifth shutout and his 14th complete game. He threw 106 pittches in 9 innings and faced only one three-ball count while retiring the first 17 batters in order.
Aubrey Huff homered as the Giants returned from a rough road trip. Buster Posey hit an RBI double in his first regular-season game at AT&T since his season-ending collision at the plate with the Marlins’ Scott Cousins last May 25.
McDonald (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, struck out one and walked three.
TIDBITS
— How bad are the Pirates offensively? In the last four games, Pirate batters have combined for 38 strikeouts and just 2 WALKS
— Neil Walker was 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and is batting .048 on the season.
— Pedro Alvarez was 0-3 with 3 strikeouts. He’s hitting .063 and has 10 strikeouts in 16 at-bats.
