ST. LOUIS -- Matt Cain said this start didn't feel any bigger than others. He didn't feel the pressure of trying to keep a rotation spot. But Cain was pitching for a spot, even if the Giants didn't make such bold statements publicly.
It wasn't until Mike Leake's return was delayed on Monday night that the Giants officially announced Cain as their Wednesday starter, and he went out and showed he's still plenty capable of sticking in the rotation. The Giants lost 4-3 at Busch Stadium and dropped two of three to baseball's best team, but Cain's outing against the Cardinals was widely described as "really encouraging" in the losing clubhouse.