Diamondbacks at Giants
The San Francisco Giants and their loyal fans aren’t usually the most accommodating hosts for visiting opponents, but the Arizona Diamondbacks have made themselves right at home. Arizona heads into Tuesday’s contest having won nine of its last 11 visits to AT&T Park after third baseman Jake Lamb homered and drove in two runs in Monday’s 9-7, 11-inning series-opening victory.
The Diamondbacks’ search to replace injured center fielder A.J. Pollock continued Monday with the demotion of Socrates Brito to Triple-A Reno following a rough 10 games that saw the rookie hit .226 with two extra-base hits. Chris Owings had two hits in Monday’s victory and likely will receive an extended look at center, but outfielder David Peralta also could figure into the mix. Giants manager Bruce Bochy held slumping third baseman Matt Duffy out of the starting lineup Monday in favor of reserve infielder Kelby Tomlinson, who is hitting .125 after going 0-for-4 in the season opener. Duffy, who surprised last season while batting .295 with 12 home runs, has four hits in his last 35 at-bats after striking out as a pinch hitter Monday but should return to the starting lineup Tuesday.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (0-0, 2.92 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (0-1, 6.75)
Ray turned in his second quality start Thursday but again struggled with his control as the 24-year-old allowed two runs on four hits and five walks over 6 1/3 innings against the Dodgers. The Tennessee native has issued nine walks in 12 1/3 innings covering his first two outings. Ray had better control in his only previous start against San Francisco on July 17, 2015, when he received a no-decision after yielding two runs on eight hits with no walks and eight strikeouts over five frames.
Cain retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced Thursday against Colorado but ran into trouble in the fifth and was charged with six runs over 4 2/3 innings in the Giants’ 11-6 loss. The 31-year-old was limited to a total of 28 starts over the previous two seasons but has posting a 10-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first two outings. Paul Goldschmidt is 8-for-30 with a home run against Cain, who is 14-7 with a 3.49 ERA in 35 career games (34 starts) against the Diamondbacks.
WALK-OFFS
1. Goldschmidt is a career .325 hitter (49-for-151) with eight home runs at AT&T Park.
2. The Giants are expected to place RHP George Kontos (flexor strain) on the disabled list before Tuesday's game.
3. The Diamondbacks recalled RHP Tyler Wagner from Triple-A Reno.