Dodgers at Giants
One day after the San Francisco Giants promoted their top hitting prospect, the Los Angeles Dodgers did the same on Tuesday by recalling outfielder Cody Bellinger. The 21-year-old is expected to make his second straight start Wednesday as the Dodgers continue their four-game series against the host San Francisco Giants, who are off to a 7-14 start.
The Giants inserted rookie third baseman Christian Arroyo into the lineup Monday while Bellinger got the call Tuesday from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he was hitting .343 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 67 at-bats. Arroyo and Bellinger each recorded their first major-league hits on Tuesday in the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory as they snapped a six-game losing streak at AT&T Park. Brandon Crawford, who will miss the final two games of the series while on bereavement leave, left Tuesday’s contest with a right groin strain and hopes to have an MRI on Wednesday. The injury-plagued Giants have had Hunter Pence batting leadoff in place of Denard Span, who has been out the last three games with a right shoulder injury but could return Thursday.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (1-0, 3.29 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (3-1, 5.25)
Wood is set to make his third start this season after allowing four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings Friday at Arizona. “I thought my stuff was OK,” Wood told reporters. “I thought I competed. My stuff wasn’t as good as it’s been so far. But I felt really good stamina-wise, so I’m moving in the right direction.” The 26-year-old has gone 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA in six career games (two starts) against San Francisco.
Cueto is aiming for a bounce-back effort after allowing the first grand slam of his 10-year career Friday at Colorado and being charged with six runs and eight hits in five innings. The 31-year-old is 5-6 with a 2.74 ERA in 13 career starts against the Dodgers, including a 3-1 mark and 2.67 ERA in five outings last season. Chase Utley is 11-for-34 with a home run against the two-time All-Star while Yasiel Puig is hitless in seven at-bats with five strikeouts.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers optioned OF Brett Eibner to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Bellinger.
2. Giants RHP Mark Melancon has appeared in just six of the team’s first 21 games.
3. Dodgers LHP Grant Dayton (intercostal strain) struck out all three batters he faced for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday and could be activated for Friday’s game against Philadelphia.