Marlins at Giants
When Johnny Cueto takes the mound Sunday for the San Francisco Giants in the finale of their three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins, he’s sure to draw the attention of more than a few major-league scouts. Cueto could be one of several players on the move prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline as the last-place Giants begin to look toward next season.
Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna combined to go 4-for-8 with three RBIs in Saturday’s 5-4 triumph as the Marlins won for the fourth time in five games. Justin Bour belted his 20th home run and Miami’s trio of late-inning relievers - Kyle Barraclough, David Phelps and A.J. Ramos - staved off the Giants’ comeback. The disappointing Giants are 34-55 and 26 games out of first place in the NL West but received a spark Saturday from Brandon Belt, who recorded two doubles and has collected 16 RBIs over his last 17 contests. Jae-Gyun Hwang has registered two hits in his last 17 at-bats while starting in place of Eduardo Nunez, who remains out with a hamstring strain.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (7-3, 3.43 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (6-7, 4.26)
Urena continued to impress Tuesday against St. Louis, allowing two runs and three hits with seven strikeouts over five innings in a 5-2 victory. “He’s the type of guy that just grips it and rips it,” Miami catcher A.J. Ellis told reporters. “He’s trusting his stuff more, and it shows.” The 25-year-old has yet to record an out in the seventh inning of any of his 12 starts but has earned the victory in six of his last nine outings.
Cueto was scratched from his start Thursday in Detroit because of an inner ear infection but has recovered in time to take the place of struggling veteran Matt Cain, who has dropped seven straight decisions. The 31-year-old Cueto notched the victory in his last outing on June 30, allowing three runs over five frames in a 13-5 win over Pittsburgh. Cueto is 4-2 with a 4.64 ERA in nine career starts against Miami but has had trouble containing Giancarlo Stanton (6-for-16, two home runs).
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco C Buster Posey is 19-for-52 during his 14-game hitting streak against the Marlins.
2. Miami is 16-7 at AT&T Park since 2011.
3. The Giants placed Austin Slater on the 10-day disabled list with a right groin injury and recalled fellow OF Mac Williamson from Triple-A Sacramento.