Marlins at Giants
The lowly Miami Marlins own the worst record in the major leagues, but their 10-8 mark this month offers some hope for the future. They’re already causing plenty of trouble for the San Francisco Giants, who have lost the first two games of the four-game series that continues Saturday. Rookie Marcell Ozuna has recorded three hits and four RBIs in the two victories by Miami, which has won nine consecutive contests at AT&T Park since 2010.
San Francisco received a scare on Friday as left fielder Andres Torres exited the game with a right knee injury, but X-rays were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day. The Giants are more concerned about their bullpen, which has given up five runs over the last two games covering 6 2/3 innings. Setup man Jeremy Affeldt has blown leads in three of his last four appearances, and Jose Mijares has allowed nine of his 17 inherited runners to score.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jacob Turner (1-0, 2.16 ERA) vs. Giants LH Barry Zito (4-5, 4.67)
Turner gave up two runs over five innings last Monday against the Diamondbacks, settling for his third consecutive no-decision since winning his season debut. The 22-year-old right-hander, who is set to make his first career start against the Giants, has allowed one home run in his first 25 innings this season. He’s 2-2 with a 2.22 ERA over his last nine major-league outings.
Zito is making his first start since the death of his 84-year-old father, Joseph, on Wednesday. The veteran lefty struck out a season-high eight batters while giving up two runs over 5 2/3 innings against the Padres last Monday. Placido Polanco is 12-for-19 against Zito, who is 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA in eight career starts against the Marlins.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval (foot) homered in his first rehab game with Class-A San Jose on Friday.
2. The Marlins have won seven of their last nine games overall against the Giants.
3. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford (sprained fingers) has been held out of the starting lineup for the last three games, but he’s hoping to return to the lineup on Saturday.