Blue Jays at Giants
Pablo Sandoval has adjusted nicely to a part-time role for the San Francisco Giants, although the Toronto Blue Jays would have probably preferred if he came off the bench in their two previous meetings this season. After another solid day at the plate in his last game, the two-time All-Star looks to continue tormenting Toronto when the Giants host the first of two interleague games Tuesday in San Francisco.
Sandoval has made 12 starts in 2019 and is batting .288 when his name is on the lineup card - hitting all four of his homers in those contests - and was a critical part of the Giants putting an end to a three-game skid in Sunday's 6-5 win, as he finished 3-for-4 and connected on a two-run shot. The Blue Jays saw similar performances from the 2012 World Series MVP when he visited them in Toronto late last month, going 3-for-4 with a solo blast in a 7-6 win on April 23 and adding a solo homer in a 4-0 victory the next day to complete the two-game sweep. The Blue Jays were able to get back to .500 after that series with a three-game sweep of Oakland the following series but have fallen on hard times since then, dropping 10 of their last 12. The offense has been the primary culprit, scoring two or fewer runs in six of seven and eight of its last 10 contests.
TV: 9:45 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Trent Thornton (0-4, 5.06 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tyler Beede (0-1, 18.69)
After allowing a total of one run on three hits across 12 innings over consecutive outings in a pair of no-decisions, Thornton was tagged for five runs in two frames during a loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. The 25-year-old rookie has been highly inconsistent in eight turns overall, yielding two runs or fewer four times and four runs or more four times. Joe Panik went 2-for-2 with a homer and three RBIs on April 23 versus Thornton, who gave up four runs over five innings in a loss to the Giants.
Beede will pitch at home for the first time this season after getting roughed up in each of his first two appearances on the road, including Thursday's two-inning relief outing in which he was permitted two runs and took the loss. The Vanderbilt product started in his season debut on May 3 in Cincinnati, failing to factor into the decision despite surrendering eight runs (seven earned) across 2 1/3 frames. Beede has yielded 32 baserunners over only 12 career innings as he faces Toronto for the first time.
WALK-OFFS
1. Panik has reached safely in 12 straight contests and is batting .326 over that span.
2. Toronto 1B Rowdy Tellez's only career grand slam came in the first meeting between the teams this season.
3. San Francisco has been outscored 42-5 in the first inning.