Reds at Giants
Less than 13 hours after leaving the field following a 17-inning marathon, the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds continue their four-game series Saturday afternoon at AT&T Park. Buster Posey homered for the fourth time in his last five games to give the Giants a 3-2 victory on Friday in a game that checked in at five hours and 28 minutes.
Both teams would like to see starting pitchers Lisalverto Bonilla and Matt Moore work deep into Saturday’s contest after combining to use 13 relievers in Friday’s game. The Giants continue to struggle offensively but have received a welcome spark from the leadoff spot in the past two games from center fielder Denard Span, who has gone 7-for-12 with a home run and three RBIs in his return from the disabled list. Manager Bruce Bochy is waiting patiently for a similar jolt from first baseman Brandon Belt, who is batting .217 after going 1-for-7 with two strikeouts on Friday. The Reds have won 15 of their last 21 games at AT&T Park but came up short Friday as Billy Hamilton and Zack Cozart went a combined 0-for-13 -- Hamilton saw his eight-game hitting streak come to an end for the Reds, who have won seven of their last nine games.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Lisalverto Bonilla (0-0, 7.20 ERA) vs. Giants LH Matt Moore (1-4, 6.52)
The Reds are hoping the 26-year-old Bonilla can be a steady replacement for struggling right-hander Rookie Davis, who was optioned to Triple-A Louisville after posting a 7.58 ERA in five starts. “He’s one of those guys that’s going to have the opportunity to hold onto this spot for a while,” manager Bryan Price told reporters. A native of the Dominican Republic, Bonilla pitched five innings of relief against the Cubs on April 22 before going back to Triple-A, where he went 0-2 with a 5.65 ERA in three starts.
Moore’s struggles continued Monday against the Mets as he allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings while throwing 108 pitches. The 27-year-old has yielded five or more runs in four of his seven starts this season. Moore, who is facing the Reds for the first time in his seven-year career, has posted a 10.50 ERA in three road starts this season while going 1-1 with a 3.05 ERA in three outings at AT&T Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants are 3-19 when trailing after seven innings.
2. Cincinnati starting pitchers are 6-1 with a 2.85 ERA over the last nine games.
3. The Giants are optimistic that closer Mark Melancon (elbow) will be able to return from the disabled list when first eligible on Tuesday.