Brewers at Giants
The Milwaukee Brewers entered their road set against the San Francisco Giants red-hot but were unable to gain ground in the National League playoff race as they dropped the series opener. Milwaukee looks to even the set and avoid its second skid of the month when it visits San Francisco on Tuesday for the middle contest of the three-game series.
The Brewers had won six of seven following a six-game losing streak before registering only four singles in Monday's 2-0 defeat. The setback - its 10th in the last 11 meetings at AT&T Park - dropped Milwaukee 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and 3 1/2 back of Arizona for the second wild-card spot. San Francisco improved to 3-2 on its seven-game homestand as rookie Chris Stratton and three relievers combined on the four-hit shutout. Jarrett Parker carries a seven-game hitting streak into Tuesday's contest after going 2-for-3 in the opener.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (9-6, 3.74 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (8-12, 4.79)
Nelson has struggled of late, surrendering 15 runs - 12 earned - and 19 hits over 10 innings in his last two starts. The 28-year-old Oregonian has allowed nearly one run more on the road (4.22) than at home (3.39). Nelson evened his career record against San Francisco at 2-2 on June 7, when he gave up three runs and seven hits in six frames of a victory.
Samardzija has won four of his last five starts, including a triumph over Philadelphia on Thursday in which he allowed four runs and eight hits over six innings. The 32-year-old native of Indiana served up two homers in that contest, matching the total from his previous five outings. Samardzija fell to 3-6 lifetime against the Brewers on June 5 despite giving up only two runs - one earned - and six hits while recording 10 strikeouts over 7 2/3 frames at Milwaukee.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants SS Brandon Crawford is just 1-for-11 lifetime against Nelson, but the lone hit was a home run.
2. Milwaukee C Stephen Vogt notched one of the team's four hits, giving him one in each of his three games following a month-long absence due to a sprained left knee.
3. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto (flexor) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, one day after being scratched due to illness.