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Cain, Giants looking to bounce back at home

Apr 12, 2008 - 1:35 PM St Louis (8-3) at San Francisco (4-7) 4:05 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - Matt Cain's first home appearance was likely a fluke.

Cain and the San Francisco Giants look to get back on track Saturday when they continue a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

A 23-year-old righthander, Cain (0-1, 3.60 ERA) allowed seven hits and five runs - four earned - while walking five in 4 1/3 innings at AT&T Park on Monday as the Giants suffered an 8-4 setback to the San Diego Padres.

It was a rare dismal outing at home for Cain, who had recorded a 2.96 ERA while limiting opponents to just a .231 batting average in his previous 27 starts at AT&T Park dating back to the 2006 All-Star break.

San Francisco hopes Cain will return to form after the team endured an 8-2 loss to the Cardinals in the series-opener on Friday.

Albert Pujols finished Friday's game with a pair of hits and four RBI - including a decisive three-run blast in the fifth inning. Pujols, who has three homers in his last three games, is the only Cardinals player to reach base in all 11 contests this season.

Todd Wellemeyer (1-0, 2.25) takes the mound for St. Louis on Saturday after a pair of impressive starts to open the season. The 29-year-old righthander has allowed just three runs in 12 innings while striking out 13 to begin the campaign.