Dodgers at Giants
The San Francisco Giants put a dismal weekend behind them in the series opener and look to build on some much-needed momentum Tuesday when they continue their three-game set against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants had lost three in a row and seven of their last 10 before rallying for a 3-2 victory on Monday.
Slumping third baseman Evan Longoria was held out of the starting lineup Monday but delivered a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning to help the Giants bounce back from a three-game sweep by the New York Yankees. Joe Panik and Yangervis Solarte added two hits apiece at the top of the order while shortstop Brandon Crawford singled and reached base three times after going 6-for-50 over his previous 15 games. The Dodgers saw their four-game winning streak come to an end despite two more hits from Cody Bellinger (.434, 14 home runs, 37 RBIs), who along with Milwaukee's Christian Yelich is one home run shy of becoming the first major-league player with 15 home runs before May 1. The deep Dodgers’ lineup has received a spark from outfielder Alex Verdugo, who is 6-for-18 while hitting in five of his last six games.
TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (2-0, 5.25 ERA) vs. Giants LH Drew Pomeranz (1-2, 3.65)
Buehler received a no-decision Wednesday after giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs. The 24-year-old native of Kentucky has 18 strikeouts through his first five starts covering 24 innings after fanning 151 batters in 137 1/3 innings last season. Gerardo Parra is 3-for-11 with a home run against Buehler, who is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in three career games (one start) versus San Francisco.
Pomeranz earned his first win of the season Wednesday against Toronto, allowing two hits over six scoreless innings. “What a great job, pitching so efficiently,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. “He pounded the strike zone so well, had good command of the fastball, a good breaking ball, used his change occasionally.” The 30-year-old native of Tennessee owns a 1-4 record and 3.49 ERA in nine career games (seven starts) against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants have been outscored 20-1 in the first inning this season.
2. All four meetings this season have been decided by two runs or fewer.
3. The Giants placed Derek Holland on the 10-day injured list with a left index finger bone bruise and recalled fellow LHP Ty Blach from Triple-A Sacramento.