Matt Cain limited the Marlins to two runs in eight innings Tuesday, only to fall to 1-2 anyway. We're not going to check or anything, but we'd guess Cain has been on the wrong end of more 2-1 scores than any other pitcher in the league these last five years. He's 1-2 with a 2.35 ERA and an incredible 0.68 WHIP after five starts this season.

Matt Cain was quality but picked up a loss against the Reds Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings. He recorded seven strikeouts but was undone by a couple longballs and a lack of offensive support. Cain had tossed consecutive shutouts against the Phillies and Pirates, and he fared well again tonight against a better offensive team on the road. He'll carry a 2.37 ERA and 0.63 WHIP into Sunday's start against the Padres.

Fresh off his one-hitter of the Pirates, Matt Cain was nearly as dominant against the Phillies Wednesday, but got stuck with a no-decision in San Francisco's 1-0, 11-inning victory despite allowing only two hits in nine scoreless innings. In other words, there is no justice. Cain threw just 91 pitches, and could have easily come out for the 10th, but manager Bruce Bochy opted to go with closer Santiago Casilla. Cain finished with four strikeouts and one walk. Allowing just three hits and zero runs over his past 18 innings of work have brought Cain's ERA to 1.88 and his WHIP to an absurd 0.50 through his first 24 frames. The owner of a 19/3 K/BB ratio, he'll get the Reds in Cincinnati next week.

Matt Cain struck out 11 in a one-hit shutout Friday as part of a 5-0 win over the Pirates. Brilliant. The only baserunner allowed by Cain was on a single by opposing pitcher James McDonald with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was Cain's third career one-hitter and his fifth career shutout. His shaky season debut against the Diamondbacks on Sunday is but a distant memory. He'll carry a 3.00 ERA into a home start against the Phillies next week.

Matt Cain struggled in his 2012 debut against the Diamondbacks Sunday, allowing five runs on six hits, two walks and two homers in six innings of San Francisco's loss. Cain was mostly rolling along until the sixth, where he walked Miguel Montero before surrendering back-to-back home runs to Ryan Roberts and Lyle Overbay. A bad day, but of little concern for one of the game's most consistent righties. He should bounce-back at home next weekend where he'll take on the Pirates.

According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, Matt Cain's $21 million option for 2018 will not vest if he ends his final guaranteed year on the disabled list with an elbow or shoulder injury. The Giants and Cain agreed to a five-year, $112.5 million contract extension on Monday. The option year converts to a player option if Cain achieves certain benchmarks for starts or innings pitched. If the option does not vest, the Giants can buy out Cain for $7.5 million. If it does vest, Cain has the ability to decline the option and still receive $7.5 million.

Giants signed RHP Matt Cain to a five-year, $112.5 million contract extension with a $21 million vesting option (or a $7.5 million buyout) for 2018. The deal comes with a $5 million signing bonus and will pay Cain $20 million per year from 2013-2017. His $15 million salary for 2012 was already locked in. The 27-year-old right-hander posted a 2.88 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 33 stars last year and has reached the 200-inning plateau in each of the past five seasons. He's one of the best, and one of the most durable, right-handed starters in the game.

Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports that the Giants have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with right-hander Matt Cain. John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle heard from two sources Monday that the value of the deal is "in the neighborhood" of $110 million. It also carries a vesting option for 2018. Cain, 27, registered a dominant 2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 179/63 K/BB ratio in 221 2/3 innings last season. He's one of the best right-handed starters in baseball, and is now being paid like it.

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Matt Cain is expected to sign a deal "in the neighborhood" of five years and $110 million before Opening Day. It's probably less than Cain could have commanded next winter on the open market, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad contract. The 27-year-old right-hander posted a fantastic 2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 179/63 K/BB ratio in 221 2/3 innings last year. But now he doesn't have to worry about his value being crushed by an injury or a bout of ineffectiveness.

Long-term contract talks between the Giants and Matt Cain's representatives have increased as Cain's self-imposed Friday deadline approaches, according to Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area. Cain told reporters last week that he will cut off negotiations on Opening Day so that he can focus on the season. Five years and $100 million is the "absolute floor in negotiations," according to Baggerly. We don't doubt that to be true -- if San Francisco allows Cain to hit the open market after the season, he could fetch a six-year pact in the range of $120 million, perhaps from the Dodgers' new ownership group. The 27-year-old Cain registered a sparkling 2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 179/63 K/BB ratio in 221 2/3 innings last year.