Giants at Diamondbacks
The struggling Arizona Diamondbacks, losers of five straight and seven of eight, will look to rebound against the visiting San Francisco Giants in Friday's series opener. Arizona has beaten the Giants in the last eight meetings, including a three-game sweep at home to begin the season. It seems a long time since the Diamondbacks sprinted to a 7-3 start. They are 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and 1 1/2 back of San Francisco.
The Giants are 3-6 in May and just dropped two of three to the host Dodgers. Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco’s most effective starter, will go for his sixth consecutive victory in the series opener - and seeks a measure of revenge after losing to the Diamondbacks on April 7. The Giants must improve their defense, which has committed a major league-high 33 errors through Wednesday.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CSBA (San Francisco), FS-Ariz (Arizona).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (5-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (1-1, 7.00 ERA).
Bumgarner has not lost since allowing seven hits and four runs over four innings, including a pair of homers by Aaron Hill, against Arizona in his season debut. In his past five starts, Bumgarner has limited teams to six runs over 35 innings. Bumgarner is 3-1 lifetime against the Diamondbacks with a 3.11 ERA over 37 2/3 innings.
The 22-year old Corbin has split his first two major league starts, allowing 13 hits, five walks and seven runs over nine innings. Corbin struck out six to beat Miami in his first start but had just two Ks against the New York Mets last Saturday. Corbin held the Mets scoreless over the first three innings, but gave up four runs in the fourth.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton is 7-for-10 with a homer against Bumgarner. Chris Young is 7-for-14, but he is on the disabled list.
2. The Giants are 14-0 when leading or tied after eight innings despite the absence of closer Brian Wilson (Tommy John surgery, out for season).
3. Cody Ransom has four homers and 12 RBIs for Arizona in 41 at-bats since being recalled from Triple-A Reno.