Padres at Giants
San Francisco third baseman Casey McGehee might receive a day off Tuesday against the San Diego Padres as the Giants look to extend their home winning streak to eight games. Giants manager Bruce Bochy indicated a desire to help McGehee “catch his breath” after the veteran saw his average dip to .181 in Monday’s series-opening 2-0 victory.
The Giants have won 10 of their last 14 following an eight-game losing streak and could get right fielder Hunter Pence (forearm) back by the end of the month. Bochy told reporters Monday that Pence is taking batting practice and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend. The Padres made news Monday by promoting top catching prospect Austin Hedges from Triple-A El Paso, but the highly touted rookie is unlikely to see regular playing time over Derek Norris, who is hitting .323. Manager Bud Black said Hedges will play sporadically as the team looks to monitor Norris’ workload behind the plate.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Andrew Cashner (1-4, 2.61 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (0-2, 9.31)
Cashner has tossed seven innings in each of his last two outings, including Wednesday against Houston when he struck out 10 and yielded three runs (two earned) in a 7-2 loss. The 28-year-old, who struck out the first six batters of the game, has allowed eight unearned runs in his five starts this season. Cashner is 2-3 with a 4.54 ERA in 11 career games (five starts) against the Giants and has struggled to contain Buster Posey (9-for-17, two home runs).
Vogelsong turned in another ugly outing Wednesday against the Dodgers, who belted three home runs in the first inning and another in the third. The 2011 All-Star exited after yielding six runs in three frames, and he owns a 17-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 19 1/3 innings along with giving up eight home runs. Matt Kemp is 12-for-32 with a home run against Vogelsong, who is 4-6 with a 5.66 ERA in 19 career games (10 starts) against the Padres.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Padres designated C Wil Nieves for assignment to make room for Hedges.
2. Giants RHP Sergio Romo has struck out four of the five Padres he has faced this season.
3. San Diego 1B Yonder Alonso could be available after sitting out Monday’s series opener with a sore back.