Giants at Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates look to win their fourth consecutive contest overall and fifth in a row at PNC Park on Friday when they open a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants. The Pirates benefited from an off day on Thursday after working overtime on six occasions already this season, with the team improving to 4-2 after winning a pair of 10-inning decisions in their last two games.
"Obviously, it's a welcome challenge when you're playing close games every day. That means you're in every game, and you've got a chance to win," said Colin Moran, who ripped a go-ahead RBI single to lift Pittsburgh to its ninth win in 12 outings with a 3-2 victory over Detroit on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has driven in six runs during his four-game hitting streak while Josh Bell has hit safely in seven straight while scoring at least one run in five consecutive contests. While the Pirates have seen production at the plate, the Giants have struggled on offense -- especially in the first inning (6-for-63, zero runs). Evan Longoria is riding an eight-game hitting streak and had an RBI single in the ninth inning on Thursday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as San Francisco fell for the third time in four contests with a 4-2 setback to Washington.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (1-2, 3.12 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jordan Lyles (1-0, 0.82)
Bumgarner answered a pair of five-run performances with a strong outing in his last trip to the mound, allowing two runs while striking out seven without walking a batter in Saturday's 5-2 win versus Colorado. The 29-year-old has struggled to keep the ball in the park, having been taken deep in all four starts this season. Bumgarner, who owns a 3-4 mark with a 2.84 ERA in seven starts versus Pittsburgh, has held the current group of Pirates to a 5-for-32 effort at the plate.
Lyles has made a strong statement while serving as Pittsburgh's fifth pitcher in the rotation, allowing a total of one run on six hits while striking out 12 in 11 innings this season. The 28-year-old, who also owns an 0.91 WHIP, fanned 10 in six frames of a 5-2 win at the Chicago Cubs on April 10. Lyles initially was slated to pitch Wednesday in Detroit, but the Pirates shuffled their rotation given that the team had a pair of days off this week.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford is 1-for-24 with eight strikeouts in his last seven games while 3B Yangervis Solarte is 1-for-16 in his last seven.
2. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli is 0-for-23 with seven strikeouts in his last six contests.
3. The Giants have scored just 32 runs in nine road games (3-6).