SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Matt Cain went six innings, catcher Bengie Molina worked nine and closer Armando Benitez got an impressive four-out save.
For the San Francisco Giants, Monday's 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox was about as close to a real game as they've played all spring.
They ended a six-game skid, too -- the club's longest in exhibition play since losing seven straight in March 2001.
Benitez, booed almost every time he pitched during an injury-shortened 2006 season, pumped his fist in celebration and received a hug and a handshake from Molina after Tadahito Iguchi struck out on a slider to end it. Iguchi already had homered, tripled and singled in the game.
Benitez, who earned his first save, also got Gustavo Molina to fly out to left with the bases loaded in the eighth.
"It's good. People can see I can save the game," Benitez said afterward, an ice bag on each knee and his right elbow. "You get excited. I like to come into that situation. You have to make a quality pitch. If you make a mistake it can cost you the game."
Bengie Molina, the Giants' new catcher, has been pleased with Benitez's performance this spring.
"He's ready to go. He's ready to pitch. He's ready to show everybody that he's ready," he said. "He's a true closer. He's not a joke. ... The guy can pitch, man."
The White Sox, meanwhile, are not optimistic about the health of backup catcher Toby Hall, who hurt his right shoulder. He was injured in the ninth inning of Chicago's 10-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Sunday and is expected to miss significant time with what is thought to be a torn labrum.
Hall, who was playing first base and got hurt when he dove for a groundball, underwent an MRI exam Monday and the White Sox were working to schedule an appointment for him with Angels orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum for further testing.
General manager Kenny Williams said the club would fill the position internally, with either Gustavo Molina or Wiki Gonzalez.
"We've got to be patient," said manager Ozzie Guillen, who will poll his pitching staff about the comfort level with both. "We can't make Kenny go out and make deals if we don't need it."
Cain, slated as San Francisco's No. 2 starter behind Barry Zito, had strong performances in his final two Cactus League starts and keeps getting better each outing. He was done with the first inning on four pitches.
Cain, coming off a great rookie season, allowed one run and four hits, struck out four and walked two in six innings.
"The biggest thing is just trying to throw a lot of strikes and get guys out early," he said. "My goal this offseason was not to walk a lot of guys."
Barry Bonds went 0-for-3 with two more strikeouts, giving him four Ks in his last two games.
Both teams used almost regular lineups as the Cactus League enters its final few days before teams break camp. For the Giants, Ryan Klesko played first base instead of Rich Aurilia, who is nursing a groin strain.
"Getting close," Giants center fielder Dave Roberts said about having the lineup in order.
Roberts, San Francisco's new center fielder and leadoff hitter, returned for the first time since Wednesday. He had a sprained ligament in his right clavicle area, but reported no problems after the game.
Randy Winn drove in all three Giants runs, including a two-run triple in the fourth.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy left after the morning workout for Melbourne, Fla., to attend the memorial of his mother, Melrose. Bench coach Ron Wotus will run the team in his absence, which will be until Thursday night's exhibition game against the Seattle Mariners in San Francisco.
Bochy met with reserve Mark Sweeney in his office before leaving town. Sweeney is unlikely to make the team and would prefer to know as soon as possible to increase his chances of making another club.
Notes
San Francisco 3B Pedro Feliz drew his first walk of the spring. ... The Giants reassigned RHPs David Cortes and Tyler Walker to minor league camp. Walker is recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery. He will report to the team's minor league complex Tuesday and do his rehab there. He was set to pitch Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week. Walker hopes to begin throwing breaking balls on flat ground later next week. ... RHP Tim Lincecum, the Giants' top draft pick in 2006 who was sent to minor league camp Sunday, was chosen by his teammates as the Harry S. Jordan Award winner in recognition of a player in his first big league camp who was impressive in performance, dedication and spirit.
