San Francisco Giants 365 - Loss to Oakland

Robert Crosby, Donald Murphy and Kurt Suzuki drove in 2 runs each during an 8-run first inning, and the Oakland Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 10-2 in a split-squad game Saturday.

"Chalk it up as the worst one ever," said Pat Misch, one of several Giants pitchers in the running for a starting role. "The first guy got the hit and I tried to hurry up with my body. It didn't go as planned. I can't think of it as the end of the world. There's another game in five games."

San Francisco Giants 365 - Matt Cain

From San Francisco Giants 365, as San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain strode off the mound against the San Diego Padres last September in his final start of the season, he had just pitched into the 8th inning and helped his team build a four - two lead. But as so many, many times before, it wasn't enough as the bullpen squandered the lead and the Giants lost.

"It's tough, but it's one of those things that you learn and grow from down the road," Cain said. "I got the confidence to pitch in close games and pitch against guys who had real successful seasons last year. I went up against guys who were No. 1 or No. 2 guys, and it seemed also that even if I was facing someone who was further down in the rotation, they brought their 'A games' against us."

Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, was impressed by Cain's "maturity level for as young as he is. A lot of people don't know he's younger than Timmy (Lincecum) and he basically goes out there and approaches things like a 10-year vet," said Zito, who along with Cain is splitting the 4 lockers formerly occupied by slugger Barry Bonds at Scottsdale Stadium. "He's really impressive."