San Francisco Giants 3 Up, 3 Down: Taking the Season Series from Pittsburgh

1 – Cain’s Struggles

Back in the rotation because of Johnny Cueto‘s blister issues, Matt Cain started Monday’s game and continued his struggles in what should be his last year as a Giant. Cain lasted four innings and gave up six runs, although only two were earned. An error should have gotten Cain out of the inning, but he couldn’t limit the damage after the miscue.

Cain allowed a run-scoring single to the next batter, Josh Harrison, and that was followed by Andrew McCutchen‘s three-run home run that busted the game wide open. Though it wasn’t all Cain’s fault since he got what should have been the inning-ending groundball, it was another tough start in a long, long stretch of tough starts.

Cain has a 5.45 ERA and 1.669 WHIP in 20 games (19 starts), and has already been removed from the rotation once. A second removal may be close.

2 – Umpires

It seems like strike zones get worse and worse with every passing game, and this series was no exception. Monday’s and Tuesday’s games featured floating strike zones, and there didn’t seem to be much consistency from pitch to pitch. Wednesday’s game saw a better zone, but Belt still got hosed on a full-count fastball that has three or four inches outside in the third inning.

Robot umpires sound more and more appealing every day.

3 – The Trades Have Begun

Eduardo Nunez was the first domino to fall for the Giants in trade season, but he most likely is not the last. Though the deal was necessary, as the Giants are opening a position for younger players and gaining prospects for a player that is an impending free agent, it was still an emotional sight in the dugout.

Cameras got an unusual peak into the life of a traded player on Tuesday, and it was a tough moment in an otherwise extremely fun game. Nunez was seen hugging his manager and teammates before gathering his things and heading into the tunnel, and it turned a 10-0 lead into a surreal moment.

Next: After Hug Watch, Nunez Traded to Boston

With just days before the non-waiver trade deadline, it might not be the last Bochy Hug we see.