Giants at Orioles
The San Francisco Giants look to win consecutive contests for just the third time this month when they open a three-game series against the host Baltimore Orioles on Friday. The Giants had been outscored 63-19 during a season-high seven-game losing skid before posting a 3-1 victory over Miami on Thursday afternoon.
Brandon Crawford hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning, improving to 5-for-11 with three RBIs in the series after going 0-for-10 with four strikeouts in his previous three games. The 32-year-old looks to continue his recent hot streak at the plate versus Friday starter Andrew Cashner, against whom he is 9-for-20 in his career. While San Francisco benefited from a late surge, Baltimore added another chapter to what has quickly become a long season after surrendering a two-run homer in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 4-2 setback to Detroit. Renato Nunez has 13 hits -- including six homers -- and 10 runs scored in his last 10 games for the Orioles.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Drew Pomeranz (1-5, 6.45 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (5-2, 4.55)
Pomeranz fell to 0-3 in his last four starts on Friday after allowing five runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings of an 18-2 drubbing at the hands of Arizona. The 30-year-old has worked just 13 innings over his last four outings, surrendering 17 runs on 22 hits -- including five homers -- to go along with nine walks. Pomeranz sports a 3-5 mark with a 4.14 ERA in 12 career appearances (seven starts) versus Baltimore, although he owns a 2.78 ERA in seven games (three starts) at Camden Yards.
Cashner recorded his first win since April 23 on Saturday despite allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings of a 9-6 victory at Colorado. The 32-year-old has been taken deep in each of the last five trips to the mound and 10 times in 12 appearances this season. Kevin Pillar (6-for-13) and Buster Posey (12-for-31, two homers) have flustered Cashner, who sports a 3-7 record with a 4.81 ERA in 18 career appearances against San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore OF Keon Broxton is 7-for-22 with two homers, four RBIs and three runs scored since being acquired from the New York Mets.
2. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt has scored a run on five occasions during his six-game hitting streak.
3. The Orioles' seven home wins are the fewest in the majors, with only Detroit in single digits (nine).