Matt Cain warmed up for his perfect game on Wednesday night against the Astros in an unconventional way: by hitting a golf ball into McCovey Cove.
PGA Tour golfer Dustin Johnson was visiting AT&T Park ahead of the U.S. Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and hit some balls into McCovey Cove before taking in the game. He also threw out the ceremonial first pitch, though he didn’t pull it off as well as Rory McIlroy.
In addition to Johnson smacking some balls into the water, a few Giants players took swings including Clay Hensley, Aubrey Huff, and former player J.T. Snow. They were looking for more volunteers and Cain stepped forward for a swing. Cain blasted one out of the park and into the water.
“I knew he was a good golfer,” Johnson said about Cain. “(Giants GM Brian Sabean) didn’t want him (to hit). He said he was going inside.”
Johnson also gave himself some credit for Cain’s perfect game:
What a game by Matt Cain!!! I think it was all started by my great first pitch!!!
— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) June 14, 2012
“That was pretty cool,” Johnson said of the experience. “This is the first time I’ve been to the stadium, gorgeous stadium. To hit drivers off of home plate is pretty fun, especially out into McCovey Cove. It’s probably the coolest place I’ve hit balls, maybe besides Augusta.”
Here’s a picture of the two together before the game:
Photo via Dustin Johnson
