Cain pitches first perfect game for Giants in big win
Source: Agencies |
June 15, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PITCHER Matt Cain tossed the first perfect game for the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, baffling the Houston Astros in a 10-0 shutout, that sparked pandemonium on the field and in the stands.
Cain became just the 22nd pitcher in Major League history to pitch a perfect game, achieving the feat in front of his home crowd in San Francisco. The Giants had never had a pitcher throw a perfect game in their 129-year existence.
"I have no idea what it means. It's unspeakable right now; this is unbelievable," Cain told reporters. "Obviously this is something that's a part of history and something I'm going to remember forever and ever."
The 27-year-old Cain struck out 14 batters as he mowed down the Astros' lineup, retiring each of the 27 batters he faced. The 14 strikeouts is a tie for the most during a perfect game.
Cain was in total command and sealed the feat when Jason Castro grounded out to third base to set off the celebration at the mound where the pitcher was mobbed by his teammates. It was the fifth no-hitter thrown in the MLB this season and the second perfect game. Philip Humber pitched a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox on April 21.
Many in the crowd were sticking with baseball tradition, refusing to even discuss the possibility of a perfect game as he edged closer to the ninth inning. The Giants' right-hander, who improved to 8-2 on the season in the 125-pitch masterpiece, got plenty of help from his defense, including a spectacular diving catch from right fielder Gregor Blanco in the seventh inning.
"The only thing I could think was maybe (center fielder Angel Pagan) had a chance to catch it," Cain said.
"Then I see Blanco come out of nowhere and dive, and the whole crowd went crazy.
"That was hard right there to concentrate."
Cain and his wife, Chelsea, returned to the field an hour and a half after the game for a few more perfect memories.
They snapped photos on the mound, posing with the workers who tore it down so the dirt could be sent to the Hall of Fame.
Cain became just the 22nd pitcher in Major League history to pitch a perfect game, achieving the feat in front of his home crowd in San Francisco. The Giants had never had a pitcher throw a perfect game in their 129-year existence.
"I have no idea what it means. It's unspeakable right now; this is unbelievable," Cain told reporters. "Obviously this is something that's a part of history and something I'm going to remember forever and ever."
The 27-year-old Cain struck out 14 batters as he mowed down the Astros' lineup, retiring each of the 27 batters he faced. The 14 strikeouts is a tie for the most during a perfect game.
Cain was in total command and sealed the feat when Jason Castro grounded out to third base to set off the celebration at the mound where the pitcher was mobbed by his teammates. It was the fifth no-hitter thrown in the MLB this season and the second perfect game. Philip Humber pitched a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox on April 21.
Many in the crowd were sticking with baseball tradition, refusing to even discuss the possibility of a perfect game as he edged closer to the ninth inning. The Giants' right-hander, who improved to 8-2 on the season in the 125-pitch masterpiece, got plenty of help from his defense, including a spectacular diving catch from right fielder Gregor Blanco in the seventh inning.
"The only thing I could think was maybe (center fielder Angel Pagan) had a chance to catch it," Cain said.
"Then I see Blanco come out of nowhere and dive, and the whole crowd went crazy.
"That was hard right there to concentrate."
Cain and his wife, Chelsea, returned to the field an hour and a half after the game for a few more perfect memories.
They snapped photos on the mound, posing with the workers who tore it down so the dirt could be sent to the Hall of Fame.
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