Cain one-hits 51s for third win

Matt Cain continued his meteoric rise through the San Francisco Giants organization as he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning during the Fresno Grizzlies 2-0 shutout over the Las Vegas 51s on Thursday night in Fresno, Calif.

Cain (3-0), the Giants' top prospect, still had the no-no with one out in the eighth when Las Vegas' Mike Edwards hit a line-drive single to center, ending Cain's hopes and his night. The 19-year-old right-hander pitched a dominant 7 1/3 innings, striking out a season-high 10 batters while allowing just one hit and one walk.

After walking Brian Myrow to start the second, Cain retired the next 18 51s in a row, getting nine of his 10 punch-outs in that span. Cain is now first in the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts with 29, second in ERA with a 1.75 mark and has given up just 10 hits in 25 2/3 innings of work.

Fresno got its runs in the bottom of the sixth, as Justin Knoedler led off with a double to left, his fourth of the year. The Grizzlies loaded the bases with a walk and hit batter and then 51s pitcher Thomas Nall (0-2) plunked Brian Dallimore to bring in Knoedler from third for what would be the game-winner. Cleanup hitter Todd Linden drove in an insurance run in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Adam Shabala.

Las Vegas got a solid performance out of its starter, former Major Leaguer Wilson Alvarez. The veteran southpaw pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out four. -- Michael Echan/MLB.com