SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants have won two of the last three World Series because they have one of the best pitching staffs in the game. Nothing has changed in that regard going into this season.
Matt Cain scattered two hits over five scoreless innings, and the Giants pulled away for a 5-2 victory over the Rangers on Friday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium.“They can pitch,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “Cain went five and I thought we may have had some chances on him, but he made some pitches to get out of some innings. The rest of their guys they brought in threw the ball well.”The Rangers’ best chance against Cain came in the second inning when Jim Adduci singled to center and stole second with one out. But Geovany Soto struck out and Leonys Martin lined out to end the inning.It was the start of Cain retiring eight straight until Adduci reached on an error to start the fifth. But Adduci was caught stealing and Cain ended his day by getting Soto and Martin to ground out.While the offense struggled before scoring single runs in the seventh and ninth innings, it wasn’t all bad news for the Rangers.Left-handers Joe Ortiz and Michael Kirkman each had scoreless relief outings; neither one has allowed a run this spring.“Ortiz just came in and pounded the strike zone, probably didn’t break a sweat,” Washington said. “And Kirkman threw five [pitches]. Good breaking ball, elevated his fastball when he had to.”Kirkman has been happy with how his spring has gone, and he has all but guaranteed himself a spot in the bullpen.“It’s definitely a big relief emotionally and confidence-wise, knowing you’ve got stuff to get them out up there and having confidence in whatever pitch you throw,” Kirkman said.Drew Davison, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @drewdavison
