Giants at Orioles
The San Francisco Giants could not turn the calendar to June fast enough, putting behind them a dreadful month in which their starting rotation posted the worst ERA in the majors at 7.32 - and the highest mark since the franchise moved to the Bay Area in 1958. The Giants have a chance to win their second series in a month in Sunday's rubber match at the Baltimore Orioles.
San Francisco won for only the second time in 10 games behind rookie Shaun Anderson, who became the first starter on the team to go seven innings since April 13. Brandon Belt drove in four runs in Saturday's 8-2 victory to extend his hitting streak to eight games for the Giants. Renato Nunez continued his home run binge for Baltimore, going deep for the second straight day and seventh time in 10 games to boost his team-high total to 15. Trey Mancini had his second straight two-hit game for the Orioles, who are seeking their first series win since April 22-24.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (2-4, 3.83 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Gabriel Ynoa (0-1, 5.40)
Samardzija contributed to the dismal performance by the rotation last month, losing his last three starts and going 0-3 with a 5.55 ERA while surrendering seven home runs in five appearances. The 34-year-old extended his winless drought to six starts last time out at the Miami Marlins, allowing five runs and eight hits while working a season low-tying four innings. Samardzija has been outstanding at Oracle Park with a 2.03 ERA in five starts, but he is 1-3 with a bloated 5.46 ERA away from home.
After opening the season with nine straight appearances out of the bullpen, Ynoa was elevated to the starting rotation and responded by allowing two runs and five hits over four innings in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers. The 26-year-old Dominican had been struggling mightily leading up to that start, giving up 12 runs and 14 hits over 6 1/3 innings spanning his previous four appearances. Evan Longoria is 1-for-3 off Ynoa, who is allowing right-handed batters to hit .333 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants C/DH Buster Posey homered before exiting Saturday's game with hamstring tightness and will sit out the series finale.
2. Nunez has hit safely in nine of 10 games and boasts 15 RBIs in that span.
3. The Giants will skip LHP Drew Pomeranz’s next turn in the rotation after he lasted only 1 1/3 innings in the series opener.