Matt Cain Perfect Game 2012
Matt Cain's flawless masterpiece: the Giants' lone perfect game in San Francisco history.
On June 13, 2012, San Francisco Giants right-handed pitcher Matt Cain achieved one of baseball's rarest feats: a perfect game. Facing the Houston Astros at AT&T Park (now Oracle Park), Cain retired all 27 batters he faced without allowing a single baserunner via hit, walk, or error. This historic performance stands as the only perfect game in franchise history for the Giants since their move to San Francisco and remains one of just three such games thrown by a Giant in the National League era.
- Player
- Matt Cain
- Team
- San Francisco Giants
- Opponent
- Houston Astros
- Date
- June 13, 2012
- Venue
- AT&T Park
- Result
- 4-0 Win
- Status
- Perfect Game (27 Up, 27 Down)
Lore & Background
As the final out was recorded on a groundout to shortstop, with first baseman Brandon Belt receiving the throw from Joaquin Arias to retire Jason Castro, the stadium erupted into a deafening roar. This moment cemented Cain's legacy as one of the franchise's all-time greats, joining an exclusive club of pitchers who have achieved perfection. The perfect game is often cited as the pinnacle of his career and a defining chapter in Giants lore, though Cain finished ninth in Cy Young voting that year and did not win the World Series MVP (that honor went to Pablo Sandoval).
In Their Own Story
The fog rolled gently off the bay as Matt Cain stepped onto the mound for the final time that night. He adjusted his cap, looked into catcher Buster Posey's mitt, and nodded. The Houston batter swung, connecting with a sharp ground ball to third base. In an instant, the routine play transformed history; Cain watched as the ball was fielded cleanly, the throw came home true, and the runner was tagged out before he could reach the bag. He had done it: twenty-seven up, twenty-seven down.
Reader's Guide
The achievement is a Perfect Game, defined by retiring every single batter faced in a nine-inning game without allowing any to reach base. This historic event occurred on June 13, 2012, at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The significance of this record cannot be overstated; it was only the 22nd perfect game in Major League Baseball history and the first ever thrown by a pitcher representing the San Francisco Giants. It is also the most recent perfect game in National League history, solidifying Cain's place among the sport's elite pitchers.
Did You Know?
- Matt Cain's perfect game was the first and only one thrown at AT&T Park since the stadium opened in 2000.
- The final out was a groundout to shortstop by Jason Castro, with first baseman Brandon Belt receiving the throw.
- This was Cain's only no-hitter; he did not throw a no-hitter in any other season.