Rockies at Giants
San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has drawn most of the attention ahead of next month’s trade deadline, but closer Will Smith could attract an equal amount of interest. Smith is a perfect 21-for-21 in save opportunities for the last-place Giants, who face the visiting Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Bumgarner struck out 11 batters over six innings in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory but was nearly overshadowed by Smith, who recorded the save and has bolstered his case for his first All-Star selection by allowing one earned run over his last 15 appearances covering 14 2/3 innings. “It’d be great to see Smitty in the All-Star Game,” manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. “Nothing would make me happier. He has brought so much stability to the bullpen, being so consistent out there.” Colorado has lost four of its last five games and was held to three hits in Tuesday’s loss. Ian Desmond remained hot with his 11th homer, but Ryan McMahon went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and is 6-for-31 with 13 strikeouts over his last eight games.
TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (7-3, 4.32 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (4-6, 4.23)
After allowing four earned runs or more in four of his previous five starts, Marquez yielded two runs (one earned) with eight strikeouts over eight innings in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday. The 24-year-old native of Venezuela owns a 5.70 ERA in nine home starts this season compared to a 3.02 mark in eight outings away from Coors Field. Marquez is 1-3 with a 4.75 ERA in six career starts versus San Francisco.
Samardzija received ample run support last Friday against Arizona and picked up the victory despite allowing five runs on nine hits over six innings. The 34-year-old Indiana native posted a 2.53 ERA over his first six starts this season but has struggled of late, losing five of his last seven starts. Daniel Murphy is 10-for-20 with a home run against Samardzija, who is 5-6 with a 3.71 ERA in 18 career games (14 starts) versus Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants 1B Brandon Belt batted leadoff for the second time in his career Tuesday and went hitless in three at-bats.
2. The Rockies placed INF Brendan Rodgers on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder impingement.
3. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford returned Tuesday after missing one game due to tightness in his hamstring and went 1-for-3 with a walk.