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Cain goes 4 innings in win over LA
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Matt Cain gave up three runs in four innings, Buster Posey and Angel Pagan each had two hits and drove in two runs and the San Francisco Giants beat a Los Angeles Dodgers split-squad 11-9 on Sunday.

Joe Panik had three hits and scored three runs for the Giants, who won their third straight for the first time this spring. Brandon Belt added two hits and drove in a run.

Yasiel Puig had two hits, including an RBI double, and Joc Pederson hit his sixth home run among two hits for the Dodgers. Kiké Hernandez hit a three-run homer and Yasmani Grandal had two hits and drove in a run.

“I’m just getting into the routine of playing baseball every day,” Pederson said. “I just show up every day and go through the process.”

Cain, pitching against a major-league lineup for the first time in two weeks, allowed six hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.

Ryan Vogelsong drove in the go-ahead run and gave up two runs on three hits in 2 1-3 innings.

“I’m not worrying about what my role is,” Vogelsong said. “I’m concentrating on having a good year.”

Los Angeles starter Carlos Frias went 3 1-3 innings, giving up three runs in eight hits. He walked two and struck out three.

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JOC ROCKS CAIN

Pederson hit the first two pitches he saw from Cain, singling in the first and hitting his homer in the third. He raised his average to .389 and broke a tie with Puig for the team lead in home runs.

“I’m just looking for a good pitch, something up, and putting a good swing on it,” Pederson said. “You don’t get many pitches to hit and I don’t want to give one up.”

Pederson appears almost certain to start the season with the Dodgers. He’s not thinking about it just yet.

“I just want to get into the process with Mark McGwire and John Valentin, so we’re doing the same thing and making us as consistent as possible,” he said. “It’s about what I can do to help win ball games.”

GIANTS MOVES

Three players who were with the Giants during their World Series run last fall were among the five optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

Catcher Andrew Susac, outfielder Juan Perez and right-hander Hunter Strickland joined infielder Adam Duvall and outfielder Gary Brown, who was on the NLDS roster, in getting optioned.

“It’s never easy,” SF manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re going to San Francisco on Wednesday and it’s only fair to let them know what they’re all wondering.”

RHP Curtis Partch, C Guillermo Quiroz, IF Brandon Hicks, LHP Steven Okert, RHP Juan Gutierrez and RHP Brett Bochy were reassigned to minor league camp.

STARTING TIMES

Dodgers: Frias was assigned to LA’s minor league camp on March 14 and was called upon to make his first start with a spilt squad. He made 15 appearances, including two starts, over the final two months of last season.

Giants: Cain, recovered from elbow surgery performed last August, said he felt no pain and that was the most important thing he took from his outing. “Up until my last minor league start, it was a little achy and heated up,” Cain said. “I felt good and I was able to go out and throw all my pitches. Now it’s time to fine tune some things and get my reps in. I don’t think I’m that far off.”

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Dodgers: IF Juan Uribe did not play Sunday because of an illness. He’s expected to return to action Monday.

Giants: OF Hunter Pence reported that he had no updates regarding his situation, though he was seen without a cast Sunday. “I get a new one after every shower,” he said.