Giants at Dodgers
Scoring runs has been a problem for the San Francisco Giants as they enter Wednesday’s finale of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants scored two or fewer runs for the fifth time in May but left the field victorious in that situation for the first time this month by beating reigning Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday. The Dodgers tallied just one run one night after posting nine on the scoreboard while winning the series opener.
Brett Pill’s two-run homer consisted of San Francisco’s offense and the blast was just the team’s first since now-injured Pablo Sandoval homered on May 1. The Giants have scored just 21 runs in eight games this month but have won three of the last four games. Los Angeles dropped to 11-3 at home and let scoring opportunities get away by hitting into four double plays. Center fielder Matt Kemp again played despite a tight hamstring and went 1-for-3 to see his average slip to .404.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (2-2, 5.68 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (2-2, 3.19 ERA)
Lincecum has lacked control and command over his last three outings, walking 13 in 18 innings. He issued four walks in five innings against Milwaukee in his most-recent start and was pulled despite giving up just two hits to go with three runs. Lincecum is 5-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 15 career appearances (14 starts) against Los Angeles.
Billingsley is 0-2 with two no-decisions since last winning on April 11. He lost to the Chicago Cubs in his last outing when he gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings. Billingsley is 7-5 with a 3.24 ERA in 24 career appearances (19 starts) against San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Dodgers outfielder Andre Either leads the National League with 30 RBIs but stranded five runners on Tuesday.
2. Giants catcher Buster Posey is batting .450 (9-for-20) against Billingsley.
3. Kemp is batting .265 against Lincecum but has fanned 14 times in 34 career at-bats.