MLB - San Francisco Giants

Matt Cain hopes to follow up on a solid season-opening performance when he takes the mound Sunday for the San Francisco Giants in the rubber match of a three-game set versus St. Louis.

SAN FRANCISCO - Stuck on zero in the series and still seeking the unrelenting lineup they believe they can be this season, the St. Louis Cardinals proved again Saturday whether an offense is slugging or struggling one thing is always true.

SAN FRANCISCO-In the middle of their frantic weekend of celebration, the San Francisco Giants finally hit a speed bump.

On a day when Pablo Sandoval homered and singled in another run, the San Francisco slugger revealed he hardly feels comfortable in the batter's box.

Carlos Beltran hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth against his former team and Shelby Miller beat the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants in his second career start, spoiling Buster Posey's MVP party with a 6-3 win for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

Pete Kozma went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Carlos Beltran had two hits and three RBI, as the St. Louis Cardinals downed the San Francisco Giants, 6-3, on Saturday at AT&T Park.

SAN FRANCISCO - The Cardinals had 51/2 months to stew over how an abruptly absent offense cost them against San Francisco last October and 19 minutes Friday to stand on the first-base line and stare as the Giants celebrated what they won as a result.

SAN FRANCISCO – Barry Zito was busy playing long toss in center field, readying for his start Friday, seemingly oblivious as a half-dozen of his teammates walked through the AT&T Park bleachers carrying the Giants' 2012 World Series banner. But as he made his way to the bullpen mound, he couldn't resist looking over his shoulder.

The center field door opened. Out stepped Bruce Bochy, the Giants' manager. He was carrying the World Series trophy. Again. During the past six months, Bochy has been pictured holding the gorgeous piece of hardware so often, he is getting embarrassed.

The theme of Friday's pregame championship ceremony, capped by a half-dozen Giants raising the banner, was clear: The Giants won a title by having all 25 guys pull on the same rope.

The World Series trophy appeared out of an entrance in center field in the arms of Giants manager Bruce Bochy. The orange championship banner arrived by fire boat, and players paraded around with it on the field and through the stands before taking turns pulling it up the flag pole in right-center field for all of San Francisco to see.

The World Series trophy appeared out of an entrance in center field in the arms of Giants manager Bruce Bochy. The orange championship banner arrived by fire boat, and players paraded around with it on the field and through the stands before taking turns pulling it up the flag pole in right-center field for all of San Francisco to see.