Diamondbacks at Giants
The San Francisco Giants expected to struggle early in the season without injured star Hunter Pence, but things are getting ridiculous. The reigning World Series champions have lost eight in a row heading into Saturday’s game against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who recorded 18 hits in Friday’s 9-0 victory.
While Pence (broken hand) is not expected back for at least two more weeks, third baseman Casey McGehee (bruised knee) returned to the starting lineup Friday and went 0-for-2, lowering his average to .217. First baseman Brandon Belt has two hits in his first 26 at-bats for the Giants, who have gone 8-for-61 with runners in scoring positions over the last nine games. The Diamondbacks are off to a surprising 6-5 start thanks in part to the play of rookie third baseman Jake Lamb, who is batting .440 after collecting two hits and two RBI in Friday’s win. Lamb has been sitting against left-handed starters, but manager Chip Hale said he believes the 24-year-old will be an everyday player at some point this season.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Rubby De La Rosa (2-0, 7.15 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Heston (1-1, 0.69)
The Diamondbacks were encouraged by De La Rosa’s outing against San Diego last Monday, when the 26-year-old held the Padres to three runs over six innings. “Six innings is good,” Hale told reporters. “He’ll need to bear down a little more with two outs, but this is all part of the maturation process. This is a step forward.” De La Rosa is 1-0 with 8.18 ERA in three career games (two starts) against San Francisco.
Heston strengthened his case to remain in the rotation with another solid outing last Monday, when he allowed two runs (one earned) in seven innings against San Diego. “He looked like he was throwing Wiffle balls up there,” second baseman Matt Duffy told reporters. “Everything was moving.” The 27-year-old rookie earned his first major-league victory at Arizona on April 8, when he allowed two unearned runs over six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants are looking to avoid their first 3-10 start since 1983.
2. Arizona CF Ender Inciarte is 9-for-20 with four RBI over his last five games.
3. Giants RHP Jake Peavy exited Friday’s start with back tightness and will be examined Saturday.