Pirates at Giants
The frustration level continues to rise for the cellar-dwelling San Francisco Giants, who saw manager Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Dave Righetti get ejected in Monday’s 10-3 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Both will be back on the bench Tuesday as the Giants resume their three-game series against the Pirates, who have re-entered the National League Central race with 10 wins in their last 13 contests.
Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer combined for two homers and seven RBIs in Monday’s win as Pittsburgh recorded its seventh straight victory at AT&T Park. The Pirates have a question mark in right field with Gregory Polanco (hamstring) on the disabled list, but McCutchen has shown the ability to carry the offense by hitting .324 over his last 15 games. While Pittsburgh’s offense has reached another gear in recent weeks, the Giants entered Monday’s action averaging just 3.91 runs, the second-fewest in the majors. Joe Panik is mired in a 7-for-41 slump while Brandon Belt has recorded three hits in his last 25 at-bats.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (6-3, 3.08 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (0-4, 3.57)
Taillon threw a career-high 116 pitches and earned the victory Thursday against Milwaukee, allowing two runs while striking out eight in 5 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has won three of his last four outings, posting a 26-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over that stretch. Taillon, who missed time earlier this season while battling testicular cancer, has worked fewer than six innings in eight of his last 10 starts and hasn’t completed seven frames since April 16.
Bumgarner made his second start since being activated from the disabled list Thursday against San Diego and took the loss after allowing four runs over 6 1/3 innings. The four-time All-Star has given up seven runs and 10 hits while posting a 10-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last two outings covering 13 1/3 frames. Mercer is 5-for-11 versus Bumgarner, who is 2-4 with a 2.97 ERA in six career starts against Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants have not hit a three-run homer in 49 home games this season.
2. The Pirates have won each of their last 11 contests in which they've scored at least four runs.
3. After going 2-for-9 in three games with Single-A San Jose, Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval will be promoted to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday as he continues his bid to return to the majors.