Phillies at Giants
While the Philadelphia Phillies wait for news on injured ace Roy Halladay, they will look to win their second straight Tuesday against the host San Francisco Giants. The Phillies began their seven-game road trip Monday with a 6-2 victory, snapping the Giants’ six-game winning streak. Halladay was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder injury before the game, and is scheduled to be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Tuesday.
Giants right fielder Hunter Pence had three hits, including his team-leading sixth homer, in the series opener against his former team. After a slow start, Pence is 10-for-20 with two homers, four doubles and six RBIs in six games since May 1. The Phillies’ Domonic Brown is also on a tear with four home runs in his last nine games. The left fielder has started 30 of the team’s 33 games. “You find a rhythm when you are playing every day,” Brown told reporters.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet (Philadelphia), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (3-1, 2.43 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (2-1, 4.41)
Kendrick isn’t the highest paid starter in the Phillies’ rotation, but the right-hander has been the most consistent. He recorded his second straight victory Thursday, allowing two runs over seven innings against Miami. Kendrick has turned in five straight quality starts since giving up five runs in his season debut, and has allowed six runs in his last 35 innings since. He is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in five career appearances (two starts) against the Giants.
After giving up two runs over his previous two outings, Lincecum took a step back Wednesday when he allowed five runs on 10 hits over five innings against the Diamondbacks. The Giants are 5-1 in Lincecum’s starts, but he hasn’t been the same pitcher that won back-to-back Cy Young awards. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 11 career starts against Philadelphia, including 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA in two outings last season. Ryan Howard has four homers and 12 strikeouts in 29 at-bats against Lincecum.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants CF Angel Pagan has missed the last two games with a right hamstring strain, but he’s hoping to return Tuesday.
2. The Phillies are expected to promote Adam Morgan or Tyler Cloyd from Triple-A to start Friday in place of Halladay.
3. The Giants have outscored their opponents 17-9 in the ninth inning.