Giants at Rockies
The San Francisco Giants turn to ace Madison Bumgarner to end a mini-skid on Saturday, when they continue their three-game series against the host Colorado Rockies. The Giants could use a strong outing from Bumgarner after seeing their push for the second National League wild card stall with five losses in their last eight games.
Trevor Story belted his 23rd home run and Ryan McMahon went 3-for-4 with a two-run shot in Friday’s 5-4 victory as the Rockies snapped their four-game losing streak against the Giants. Colorado manager Bud Black announced before the series opener that struggling closer Wade Davis would be replaced by Scott Oberg, who recorded the save in Friday’s contest with a scoreless ninth inning and has posted a 1.56 ERA over 52 frames. The Giants have lost consecutive games for the first time since June 26-27 and need more production from Brandon Crawford, who went 0-for-4 on Friday and has recorded only nine hits in his last 53 at-bats. One of the team’s biggest surprises has been Mike Yastrzemski, who belted his 10th home run on Friday and is batting .366 with five blasts over his last 18 contests.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (6-7, 3.74 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (10-7, 3.88)
Bumgarner won his third straight decision on Sunday, when he gave up four runs and four hits over seven innings against San Diego. The four-time All-Star and former World Series MVP has won each of his last four decisions against Colorado dating back to last season. Charlie Blackmon is 14-for-39 with a home run against Bumgarner, who owns a 3.32 ERA in three starts versus the Rockies this year and is 16-8 with a 3.07 mark in 33 career meetings with the team.
Gray posted his first victory in a month with a stellar outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, when he allowed one run and three hits with six strikeouts over eight innings. The 27-year-old Oklahoman has gone 6-3 with a 3.24 ERA over 12 games (11 starts) since June 1. Brandon Belt is 6-for-18 with a home run against Gray, who owns a 1-4 record and 5.08 ERA in nine career starts versus San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants 2B Scooter Gennett made his team debut on Friday, going 1-for-4 with a double in the eighth inning.
2. Colorado OF David Dahl extended his hitting streak to 10 games on Friday before being carted off the field in the sixth inning with a right ankle injury.
3. San Francisco recalled OF Steven Duggar from Triple-A Sacramento and designated 1B-OF Tyler Austin for assignment.