• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Cain dominant again as streaking Giants down Rockies

Aug 29, 2007 - 7:01 AM By Ryan McCrary PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- It's amazing what Matt Cain can do with even a little run support.

Cain dazzled once again and the San Francisco Giants' offense cooperated in a 3-1 victory over the fading Colorado Rockies Tuesday night at AT&T Park.

After entering the game with the third-worst run support in the National League at 3.72, Cain (7-13) benefited from Randy Winn's two RBI and a solo homer from Bengie Molina. The righthander yielded a run and four hits over seven frames - striking out eight - to win for the fourth time in five turns.

Following a leadoff single to Kaz Matsui to start the first, Cain retired 14 of his next 15 batters with a walk to Brad Hawpe in the second serving as the only blemish. Cory Sullivan singled to lead off the sixth to halt the string.

"We had a couple opportunities throughout the course of the game, but two walks, eight punchouts ... we haven't seen him anything but good with the exception of one outing last year," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said.

Brian Wilson and Steve Kline pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings combined before handing the ball to closer Brad Hennessey with one out in the ninth. Even though he allowed two hits in his short stint, the righthander recovered in time to notch his 16th save in 18 chances.

San Francisco, which has won six in a row and 11 of its last 13 games, has scored two runs or fewer in 17 of Cain's 27 starts this season.

"I feel like I'm still throwing the same things, but I've just gotten better at what I want to do with it," Cain said. "I don't feel as erratic as I did earlier in my career with my off-speed stuff and my fastball. I've been able to get ahead of guys and get some quicker outs."

Rajai Davis scored twice and finished with two hits for the Giants, who won for just the 10th time this season when they score fewer than four runs.

"We are all playing well," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "That's why we're getting some wins. Although we made some mistakes tonight, the pitchers picked us up. Defensively, it wasn't our best night, but Cain had the stuff to pick us up."

Rookie Franklin Morales (0-2) permitted two runs and six hits over five frames in the loss.

"He (Morales) made his pitches when he needed to," catcher Yorvit Torrealba said. "Obviously, he's got an idea of what he needs to do. He's young and he's still learning."

Sullivan drove in Torrealba with an RBI double in the seventh to account for the lone run by the Rockies, who dropped to 24-46 all-time at AT&T Park.

Matt Holliday went 0-for-3, snapping a 17-game hitting streak.