Giants at Rockies
The San Francisco Giants look to continue their offensive explosion
when they go for a three-game sweep against the host Colorado Rockies on
Sunday. The Giants have scored 27 runs in the first two games of the
series after totaling 19 in losing seven of their previous eight games.
San Francisco has taken advantage of the worst pitching staff in
baseball to maintain its one-half game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers
in the National League West. The Rockies have lost seven of their first
eight on their nine-game homestand and have been outscored 68-39 during
that span. Their 21-36 record at Coors Field is the worst home winning
percentage (.368) in the majors.
The Giants’ Tim Lincecum, a
two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, is enduring his worst season, but
pitched well in three of his last four starts, lowering his ERA by
eight-tenths of a run. He will likely oppose the Rockies’ Tyler
Chatwood, who was expected to be recalled from Double-A Tulsa to make
his first start of the season at the big-league level. Rookie
left-hander Christian Friedrich was supposed to get the ball, but a
stress fracture in his lower back was detected during an MRI on Friday
after a bullpen session, and he will be shut down.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, CS Bay Area (San Francisco), Root Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (5-11, 5.62 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (1-1, 7.62)
Lincecum
allowed one run, six hits and struck out seven in a 4-1 victory over
the New York Mets on Tuesday. His last game at Coors Field – a 17-8 loss
on April 11 – was the shortest outing of his career as he allowed six
runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. Lincecum is 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA at
Coors Field and 8-6, 3.77 lifetime against the Rockies. Colorado’s
roster is hitting .290 against him, with Carlos Gonzalez (11-for-33, two
homers, three triples, seven RBIs) and Todd Helton (13-for-37, homer,
four RBIs, eight walks) faring well.
Chatwood last pitched in the
majors July 5, when he recorded 1 2/3 shutout innings in Colorado’s 6-2
loss at St. Louis. He was credited with a save against San Francisco in
the 17-8 game when he allowed one run in three innings. In 13 minor
league starts between Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs, Chatwood is
1-3 with a 4.70 ERA and allowed 69 hits in 61 1/3 innings. He was 6-11,
4.75 in 27 games (25 starts) with the Los Angeles Angels in his rookie
season of 2011.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rockies on Saturday placed RF-1B Michael
Cuddyer on 15-day disabled list with a sore right oblique. Cuddyer, who
is second on the team with 56 RBIs, had missed the last four games.
2. San Francisco C Buster Posey is 34-for-75 (.453) with six homers and 25 RBIs since the All-Star break.
3. Colorado is 5-15 since the All-Star break.