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Cain, Giants look for sixth straight win in opener against Rockies

Aug 25, 2008 - 1:20 PM Colorado (61-71) at San Francisco (58-72), 10:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants look for their sixth straight win when they open a three-game set against the surging Colorado Rockies on Monday at AT&T Park.

The Giants hope to continue their run while handing the ball to Cain (8-9, 3.52 ERA), who has a 1.88 ERA over his last eight starts, but has only three wins in that span.

On Wednesday, the 23-year-old righthander held the Florida Marlins to two runs in 7 2/3 innings, but failed to receive a decision after the San Francisco bullpen gave up three runs in the ninth.

Cain has held opponents to one run or less in six of his last 10 starts, but has walked four or more four times in that span.

The Rockies have won seven of their last nine games and have looked a lot like the second-half team of last season, when they used a torrid finish to win the NL pennant. However, it may be a bit too late to duplicate such an outcome.

Colorado is in third place in the division, eight games behind the leading Arizona Diamondbacks (68-62) while the Giants are two games behind the Rockies.

Jeff Francis (3-8, 5.52), a major cog in last season's storied finish, takes the mound with hopes of notching his first win in five starts.

The lefthander, who didn't pitch in July because of left shoulder inflammation, last won on June 18 against the Cleveland Indians.