Phillies at Giants
Kevin Pillar has proven to be a rare constant in the San Francisco Giants’ ever-changing outfield, which has featured cameos from the likes of Connor Joe and Mike Gerber over the past few months. Pillar looks to continue his recent hot streak Sunday when the Giants face the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in the finale of a four-game series.
Pillar and Evan Longoria both homered in Saturday’s 3-1 victory as the Giants won for just the third time in their last 10 games. Pillar has gone deep in back-to-back games and is 13-for-36 over his last 12 contests for San Francisco, which entered the National League wild card race by going 19-6 in July but is averaging 3.6 runs over its past 10 games. The Phillies snapped a three-game losing streak with Friday’s 9-6 victory but saw their bats return to silent mode again on Saturday against Jeff Samardzija, who allowed one run on two hits over eight innings. Bryce Harper, who blasted two homers and drove in four runs on Friday, made his second straight appearance in the leadoff spot on Saturday and went hitless in four at-bats.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (8-8, 4.41 ERA) vs. Giants LH Conner Menez (0-1, 5.73)
Arrieta’s winless streak reached six games last Tuesday after yielding two runs on five hits over five innings in a no-decision against Arizona. The 2015 NL Cy Young award winner has been limited due to a bone spur in his right elbow that will likely require offseason surgery. Buster Posey is 2-for-21 against Arrieta, who is 5-3 with a 2.57 ERA in nine career starts versus San Francisco – including 4-2 with a 3.05 mark in six outings at Oracle Park.
Menez made his second career start last Tuesday and allowed five runs on six hits over six innings in a 5-3 loss to Washington. “I was happy I kind of saved the bullpen a little bit,” Menez told reporters. “Overall for me, it’s a great experience to be up here and get more innings under my belt.” The 24-year-old native Californian earned his first call to the majors last month after going 2-0 with a 4.06 ERA in nine games (eight starts) across 44 1/3 innings for Triple-A Sacramento.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco closer Will Smith has allowed two runs with 16 strikeouts in his last 10 appearances covering 11 innings.
2. Philadelphia OF Corey Dickerson has homered five times in his last eight games and is 12-for-29 with 13 RBIs over that stretch.
3. Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (Tommy John surgery) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose this week.