San Francisco Giants Notes: Cain vs. Blach, Parker Cooling Off, Rollins at Second

The San Francisco Giants snapped a Spring Training losing streak on Monday, beating the Cleveland Indians 3-2 to end an eight-game skid.

Matt Cain was the starter for Monday’s Cactus League contest with Ty Blach doing the piggyback duties behind him. Both pitchers threw the ball well, with Cain having his best outing of the spring so far.

Cain went 3.1 innings, the longest start this spring by a Giants’ pitcher to this point, but got off to a precarious start in the first inning. Greg Allen, the first hitter of the game, blooped a hit into right field that Hunter Pence lost in the sun, and proceeded to steal second base and score on another single.

The 32-year-old righty settled in from there, and went on to retire the next nine batters he faced. After getting the first out in the fourth, Cain walked Chris Colabello, who turned out to be the last batter he faced. Blach was next up, and he allowed the runner to score (charged to Cain’s record) on a double before striking out Richie Shaffer to end the inning.

Blach gave up another pair of hits, both singles over two more innings of work while striking one out. In three appearances and 6.2 innings this spring, the 26-year-old lefty has allowed one run on seven hits (two doubles) while striking out five and walking none.

**********

After a red-hot start, left-field hopeful Jarrett Parker has cooled off considerably. He collected four hits in his first nine official at-bats this spring, including two home runs and a double, capping that off with a monster home run last Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

More from Golden Gate Sports

For as hot as Parker was that first week, he has been just as cold since. He has gone hitless in his last 10 at-bats since the Wednesday home run, including striking out three times. On Monday, he went two at-bats without a hit, but did draw a walk in his second at-bat of the day. His average this spring has dropped to .222 in eight games.

Parker looked like he might run away with the left field job early in spring, but his slump has brought the competition a bit closer. Mac Williamson, the main competition for Parker, slugged his first home run of the spring on Sunday, driving a ball over the wall in right-center field. He is hitting .294 this spring while seemingly working on a new, all-fields approach, and isn’t making the battle easy for Parker.

**********

Non-roster invitee Jimmy Rollins was back in the lineup on Monday, again at second base as he attempts to prove that he can do more than play shortstop. He was initially penciled in to play shortstop, but convinced manager Bruce Bochy to flip positions for him and Aaron Hill.

Rollins played well defensively at a fairly unfamiliar position, ranging far to his left twice to make diving plays on line drives in the hole between the first and second baseman. He didn’t have an opportunity to turn a double play, as he was shifted away from the base during the only chance at one and was unable to make a proper turn. It wasn’t his fault since it was a shift, and he had no shot.

Turning the double play from the opposite side of the infield than the side he’d played on for decades will be the toughest test for Rollins in the field. He hasn’t had a chance to make that pivot yet.

In 2,275 career major league games, Rollins has never started anywhere but shortstop and designated hitter. He played second base once in 2002, but only for one-third of an inning.

Next: Alguacil's Scary Injury Should Mean Changes

While his glove looks fine, Rollins’ bat has been slow to start this spring. He has just two hits, both singles, in 15 at-bats, and has yet to drive in a run. He is getting on base at a good clip, with three walks and a hit-by-pitch in six games, but he needs to some more offensive prowess to make the team.

Home/San Francisco Giants