San Francisco and Cain agree to Giant deal
MLB: Matt Cain has that hefty new contract he hoped for before opening day.
Cain and the San Francisco Giants agreed Monday to a $127.5 million, six-year contract, the largest deal for a right-handed pitcher in baseball history.
The agreement adds $112.5 million over five years to the $15 million salary for 2012 that was remaining in his previous deal. Cain gets a $5 million signing bonus as part of the new contract and $20 million annually from 2013-17. The deal includes a $21 million option for 2018 with a $7.5 million buyout that, if exercised, would raise the total to $141 million over seven seasons.
One of general manager Brian Sabean’s top priorities this offseason had been to keep his talented pitching staff intact. Two-time N.L. Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum agreed to a $40.5 million, two-year contract in late January.
“Ensuring that Matt remained a Giant beyond this season was a top priority for the organization. Matt is an integral part of the team whose performance on the mound will be one of the keys to our success for years to come,” Sabean said.
Among pitchers, only the Yankees’ CC Sabathia and the Mets’ Johan Santana, both left-handers, agreed to larger contract. Sabathia got a $161 million deal from 2009-2015 that had an additional year and $30 million in guaranteed money added last fall. Santana agreed to a $137.5 million contract from 2008-13.
• Reds return Chapman to bullpen: Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is headed back to the Cincinnati Reds’ injury-depleted bullpen after spending spring training getting ready to be a starter.
Chapman, entering his third season with Cincinnati, had hoped to get back into a starting role after spending most of the last two seasons pitching in relief. Manager Dusty Baker said injuries forced the change.
Mayo helps Grizzlies slow Thunders’ roll
NBA: O.J. Mayo scored 22 points, including a key 3-pointer with 17 seconds left, and the Memphis Grizzlies prevented Oklahoma City from tying for the NBA’s best record by beating the Thunder 94-88 at Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City had pulled within a game of league-leading Chicago by blowing out the Bulls a day earlier, but the Grizzlies took the lead just after halftime and hung on to snap the Thunder’s six-game winning streak.
Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 21 points and Russell Westbrook scored 19, with 12 coming as Oklahoma City tried to rally in the fourth quarter.
• Rockets upset Bulls: Goran Dragic scored 21 points, Luis Scola added 18 points and 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets rallied to win 99-93 at Chicago, giving the Bulls back-to-back losses for the first time this season.
The Bulls had gone a franchise-record 86 regular-season games without dropping two in a row, second only to Utah’s 95-game run in the late 1990s.
Panthers inch closer to playoffs with win
NHL: Wojtek Wolski scored in regulation and added the only goal of the shootout to help the Florida Panthers boost their playoff hopes with a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens at Montreal.
The win, combined with Washington’s 5-1 loss at Buffalo, gave the Panthers a five-point lead over the Capitals for first place in the Southeast Division, with a game in hand.
Goodell won’t oppose potential Parcells hire
Miscellany: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he won’t stand in the way if the New Orleans Saints ask Bill Parcells to take over as interim coach for suspended Sean Payton.
“That’s their decision. They need to make those decisions and we’ll move forward,” Goodell said at the opening of an NFL pop-up store featuring new team apparel. “Bill’s a great coach, and I’m sure (he) will add a lot of personality and intrigue. And he’s as competitive as they get so I’m sure he’ll do a good job.”
Before the Saints pick someone to run the team this year, though, Goodell still has to rule on Payton’s appeal of his season-long suspension.
Goodell expects to hear the appeals this week, and hopes to making a ruling shortly thereafter.
• UNC’s Marshall named top point guard: North Carolina’s Kendall Marshall has won the Bob Cousy Award, which goes to the nation’s top collegiate point guard.
Marshall fractured his right wrist during a drive to the basket in the third round of the NCAA tournament against Creighton. He had surgery the following day but was unable to play the following weekend against Kansas, and the Tar Heels lost to the Jayhawks.
Marshall declared for the NBA draft earlier this week.
• American Fish out with fatigue: The U.S. Tennis Association says No. 9-ranked Mardy Fish is pulling out of this week’s Davis Cup quarterfinal against France because of a health scare.
In a statement being posted on USTA.com, the federation says Fish, the highest-ranked American player, was seen by doctors in Miami after playing there last week. He was told he has extreme fatigue and needs to rest for at least two or three days.
Ryan Harrison is replacing Fish on the U.S. roster.
• Mexico downs Honduras in soccer: Miguel Angel Ponce scored late in overtime, giving Mexico a 2-1 victory over Honduras in the finals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament in Kansas City, Kan.
The American-born left winger slipped behind the Honduras back line in the 116th minute, corralled Javier Cortes’ free kick, and buried it for the game-winner.
Both teams had already qualified for the Summer Games in London by winning Saturday’s semifinal matches.