Reds at Giants
The San Francisco Giants attempt to extend their winning streak to a season-high three contests when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday for the finale of a four-game series. Brandon Belt and Justin Ruggiano each homered in Saturday’s 3-1 victory after San Francisco outlasted the Reds for a 3-2 triumph in 17 innings one night earlier.
Denard Span had just one hit on Saturday, but is 8-for-16 in the series with a pair of homers and three RBIs to lead the Giants, who should have All-Star Buster Posey back in the lineup after he caught 17 innings and belted a walk-off homer Friday before being rested Saturday. Jeff Samardzija will try to post his first victory of the season for San Francisco as he goes to the mound against fellow right-hander Tim Adleman, who attempts to win his third straight start. Cincinnati, which swept the Giants last weekend at home, has cooled off after winning nine of 11 games - ending with a 3-2 victory in the series opener. Scott Schebler belted his 10th homer for the Reds' only run Saturday and is 5-for-11 in the last two contests, while teammate Joey Votto boasts a seven-game hitting streak in which he is 10-for-29 with eight RBIs.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Tim Adleman (2-1, 4.44 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (0-5, 5.44)
Adleman has completed at least five innings in all four of his starts this season and won the last two, including Tuesday when he permitted three runs over five frames against the New York Yankees. The 29-year-old Georgetown product boasts 26 strikeouts and just six walks over 26 1/3 innings but surrendered seven homers in that span. Adleman, who gave up six runs (five earned) over 5 1/3 innings in his only road appearance this season, is four frames shy of 100 for his career and faces the Giants for the first time.
Samardzija has worked at least seven innings in four of his last five starts and the Giants won two of those contests without the 32-year-old being factored in the decision, but he gave up six runs in seven frames Tuesday versus the New York Mets. The Notre Dame product boasts 55 strikeouts and just 10 walks over 46 1/3 innings but has surrendered seven homers in as many starts. Devin Mesoraco is 6-for-11 with one homer against Samardzija, who is 2-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 25 games (11 starts) versus the Reds.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati CF Billy Hamilton sat out Saturday with a mild calf injury and could return for the series finale.
2. The Giants own a respectable 3.04 ERA at home this season despite going just 8-9 at AT&T Park.
3. Votto has belted 231 homers for the Reds, two behind Jay Bruce for seventh on the team’s all-time list.