Cain Throws Perfecto

[oldjudge]

For those people who prefer great feats by non-steroid associated athletes, Matt Cain threw a perfect game tonight. Unfortunately, it may not be counted because it was against the AA caliber Astros.

[itjclarke]

... I don't care who it was against, sheer dominance.. 14K's, no hits, no walks. This was no fluke, given the guy has pitched 9 inning, 1 and 2 hit games already this year, and 2-3 complete game 1 hit shutouts prior to this year. Anyone who's been watching close knows this has been waiting to happen for a while. Most underrated pitcher in the game!

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

For those people who prefer great feats by non-steroid associated athletes, Matt Cain threw a perfect game tonight. Unfortunately, it may not be counted because it was against the AA caliber Astros.

LOL, I thought the same thing!

All kidding aside, Cain is having a fabulous year and is definitely in contention for the NL Cy Young if he keeps it up.

[itjclarke]

Too bad the Yanks won't get a shot at him this offseason, heh

[Rickyy]

He had the giddy up fast ball going full force tonite!

Ricky Y

[yanks12025]

Yet another perfect game or no hitter. Whatever happened to these being rare?

[barrysloate]

We're in the middle of June and there's already two perfect games and two no-hitters. And the Mets are protesting the only hit that R.A. Dickey gave up last night. If upheld (unlikely) that's the second Mets no-no in two weeks.

No real explanation why there have been so many perfect games lately.

[esd10]

this is crazy how many perfect games there has been in the last few years but anyway congrats cain.

[scmavl]

A deserving pitcher with a stellar performance.

[DixieBaseball]

He has been dominating the last 3 years and is a quiet no frills kind of guy thus flying under the mainstream radar in MLB. He has the kind of stuff that will allow him to get multi-No-No's in his career... (I surmise he will throw 3 or 4 no hitters by the time he is done) I liken him to the quiet assassin. Love his game.

[Nashvol]

..and he's from Memphis, Houston HS grad (Germantown).

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by NashvilleBaseball

He has been dominating the last 3 years and is a quiet no frills kind of guy thus flying under the mainstream radar in MLB. He has the kind of stuff that will allow him to get multi-No-No's in his career... (I surmise he will throw 3 or 4 no hitters by the time he is done) I liken him to the quiet assassin. Love his game.

That's why we love him in SF. Lincecum has always been the rockstar, while Cain is just a rock. I think he's had the worst or 2nd worst run support since he came in the league, but has never complained, maintained total composure and is finally starting to see some W/L success. In 2010, his first and only postseason, he put up a 0.00 ERA over his 3 starts/21.3 innings. The guy is a complete stud.. thank you Tennessee.

[atx840]

I do not follow baseball but this was a nice catch!

Video

[Anthony S.]

Wasn't at Cain's perfect game, but I can now officially say I was at the next day's game when Barry Zito walked the bases loaded and promptly surrendered a grand slam, which is almost as good.

[packs]

Less steroids, more pitching dominance.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Anthony S.

Wasn't at Cain's perfect game, but I can now officially say I was at the next day's game when Barry Zito walked the bases loaded and promptly surrendered a grand slam, which is almost as good.

Agreed Anthony. Walking the bases loaded and giving up a grand slam is ever so close to a perfect game.

[paulcarek]

I was sitting two rows behind the Giants' dugout last night. Can't believe how lucky I was to be there.

[birdman42]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

No real explanation why there have been so many perfect games lately.

There's an interesting article in this morning's Washington Post about the recent rise in no-hitters and perfect games. Basically it comes down to poor batter discipline. Lee Mazzone is quoted as saying that batters "are still swinging from their heels with two strikes. It used to be, guys would choke up and protect the plate with two strikes, but now there doesn't seem to be the same sort of stigma about striking out." Here's a link to the article. You do need to create a free WaPo account to read the second page. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...4cV_story.html

Bill

[barrysloate]

Trivia question: what is the only month between April and October that no pitcher has ever thrown a perfect game?

And that's a good explanation of why there have been so many no hitters. But there is still an element of luck involved in each one.