Dodgers at Giants
Less than 24 hours after handing Clayton Kershaw his first loss of the season, the San Francisco Giants attempt to clinch a series win when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set.
Kevin Pillar and Brandon Crawford each drove in a run in the sixth inning on Friday and the Giants held on for a 2-1 victory in their return from a 4-5 road trip. Evan Longoria recorded a pair of singles as San Francisco halted its five-game slide at home. Max Muncy and Corey Seager notched two hits apiece while Chris Taylor belted a solo homer for Los Angeles, which has suffered back-to-back losses after beginning the month with four straight victories. Muncy has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, registering four two-hit performances in that span, while Seager has recorded three consecutive two-hit efforts during his five-game hitting streak.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (2-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (3-4, 3.61)
Hill was superb in his last start, a victory over Philadelphia on Sunday in which he scattered three hits while registering nine strikeouts over a season-high seven scoreless innings. The 39-year-old native of Boston has given up a total of three runs over 25 frames in his last four turns, two of which were scoreless outings that resulted in triumphs. Hill has had plenty of success against San Francisco in his career, going 7-2 with a 2.26 ERA in 14 starts.
Samardzija ended his six-start winless drought on Sunday as he allowed one run and three hits over six innings at Baltimore. The 34-year-old native of Indiana lost each of his previous three turns, surrendering a total of 14 runs in 15 1/3 frames. Samardzija has not fared well against Los Angeles in his career, going 1-4 despite posting a 3.59 ERA in seven starts and two relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger went 0-for-3 on Friday, ending his hitting streak at 12 games.
2. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner likely will be rested on Saturday and return for the series finale.
3. San Francisco sent LHP Travis Bergen (shoulder) to Single-A San Jose on Friday to begin his rehab assignment.