Cain's gem lifts Giants past Cubs

[July 02, 2008]  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Matt Cain struck out 10 in eight shutout innings, third baseman Jose Castillo made a great diving stop in the eighth to save a hit and the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Fred Lewis stole home, scored both runs and had the first two hits against Chicago starter Jason Marquis to help Cain's winning cause. The Giants went ahead 1-0 in the first when Lewis scored on a double steal in which Randy Winn stole second, and San Francisco bounced back to end a three-game home losing streak after the Cubs took the series opener 9-2 on Monday night.

Manager Bruce Bochy stuck with Cain (5-6) in the eighth even with his pitch count already over 100, and Cain matched his season high with eight innings in his team-leading 18th start. He allowed a single to No. 3 hitter Derrek Lee in the first and didn't surrender another hit until Daryle Ward doubled to start the seventh.

Cain, who had lost two of last three outings and three of five, put his strikeout total over 100 with his second 10-strikeout performance of the year and sixth of his career. Cain, Tim Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez each have 100-plus Ks, the first time in San Francisco history three pitchers have reached the mark before the All-Star break.

Cain allowed two hits and walked three in an efficient 114-pitch performance. Castillo ended the eighth by diving to his left to stop Mark DeRosa's hard-hit ball and then firing to first for the out. Even 11-time Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel, who had a perfect view of the play only several feet away, was left shaking his head in awe. DeRosa went 0-for-4 a night after hitting a grand slam and a two-run homer to match his career high of six RBIs.

Brian Wilson recorded the final three outs for his National League-leading 23rd save in 25 opportunities, but not before allowing Lee's leadoff triple in the ninth and Geovany Soto's RBI single two batters later. Lee was the first Cubs baserunner to reach third all game.

Marquis (6-5) wasn't bad himself over seven strong innings.

The right-hander had his four-start winning streak snapped in his previous outing June 26 against Baltimore, but pitched well enough to win in this one. He allowed a leadoff single in the first to Lewis but not another hit until Lewis doubled to start the sixth, retiring 13 straight between Lewis' two hits. After Lewis doubled, Winn singled him home two batters later.

Marquis allowed two runs, four hits, struck out five and walked three.

Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot was a late scratch with the stomach flu. He later entered as a defensive replacement and struck out to end the game.

Notes: The Cubs will welcome back Carlos Zambrano from the disabled list to start Friday at St. Louis. He has been out with a right shoulder strain. "He threw today and he threw very well," manager Lou Piniella said. ... OF Alfonso Soriano, sidelined with a broken left hand, will return to Chicago on Thursday to be examined and get X-rays and if his bone structure is OK he will be cleared to start taking batting practice this weekend in St. Louis. ... ... San Francisco OF Dave Roberts (left knee surgery) has been running the bases for several days and is scheduled to report to Triple-A Fresno on Friday to begin a rehab assignment. He is expected to rejoin the Giants after the All-Star break if all goes well, but Bochy expects he will need 45-50 at-bats in the minors before then. ... Lewis stole home for the first time in his career, in his second attempt of the year. Vizquel stole home against the Oakland Athletics last month.

[Associated Press; By JANIE McCAULEY]

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