Giants at Angels
After tying a franchise record by giving up eight or more runs in four consecutive games, the Los Angeles Angels settled things down to halt their losing streak. The Angels look to put together another complete performance on Sunday, when they host the San Francisco Giants for the rubber match of their three-game series.
Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Jefry Marte each homered in Saturday’s 4-3 win for the Angels, who were outscored 35-4 during their four-game slide. Trout has been happily overshadowed early on by his new teammate, Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, but the two-time MVP is quickly heating up with six home runs in his last 12 games. The Giants have not won consecutive contests since beginning the season with two victories but have received a much-needed spark from Mac Williamson, who homered in his season debut on Friday and went 1-for-4 the following day. Buster Posey was a late scratch on Saturday with back stiffness but was available for pinch-hitting duty and is expected to start the series finale.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Johnny Cueto (1-0, 0.45 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (1-0, 1.80)
Cueto came off the disabled list on Tuesday and turned in a dominant performance against Arizona, allowing two hits while registering 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. The two-time All-Star has given up one earned run over 20 frames in his first three starts of the year. Justin Upton is 6-for-20 with two home runs against Cueto, who is 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two career turns versus the Angels.
Barria will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to make his second career start and first at Angel Stadium. The Panamanian made his major-league debut on April 11 at Texas and recorded the win after allowing one run on one hit - a solo homer by Ryan Rua - in five innings. Barria has made two starts for Salt Lake this season, surrendering two runs and five hits with three walks and six strikeouts over 6 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Angels are 4-7 at home and 9-1 on the road.
2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt has homered in three consecutive games, collecting five RBIs during that stretch.
3. The Angels designated Luke Bard for assignment and recalled fellow RHP Eduardo Paredes from Salt Lake.