Well, the San Francisco Giants’ bid to go undefeated in the second half of the season was spoiled Saturday night against the San Diego Padres, but can still secure a series victory this afternoon with Matt Cain on the mound to take on every Giants fan’s favorite Padre, Mat Latos.
Cain (8-5 3.06 ERA) is looking to maintain his All-Star form with his first start of the second half, while Latos (5-10 4.04 ERA) has been showing flashes of brilliance, only to be left out in the cold by his Padres’ struggling offense more often than not.
As for the lineup right fielder Nate Schierholtz’s eight game hitting streak ending on Saturday, but he will be batting clean up once again for the Black and Orange. Andres Torres and Mike Fontenot return to the top of the batting order, Miguel Tejada will be back at shortstop, and Eli Whiteside will be behind the dish to catch Cain today.
Your San Francisco Giants:
1. Andres Torres (S) CF
2. Mike Fontenot 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Nate Schierholtz RF
5. Aubrey Huff 1B
6. Cody Ross LF
7. Miguel Tejada SS
8. Eli Whiteside C
9. Matt Cain P
San Diego Padres Lineup:
1. Will Venable RF
2. Everth Cabrera SS
3. Cameron Maybin CF
4. Ryan Ludwick LF
5. Orlando Hudson 2B
6. Kyle Phillips C
7. Anthony Rizzo 1B
8. Alberto Gonzalez 3B
9. Mat Latos P
In other news Giants utility man Mark DeRosa has begun rehab assignment for single A San Jose, going 1-2 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. He’ll play one more with them before he moves over to triple A Fresno on Tuesday.
The Giants used an interesting lineup on Saturday once the blow out was all but finished with newly acquired Hector Sanchez behind the plate and catcher Chris Stewart over at first base. Although it’s a lineup I doubt they would use regularly, it’s good to know they can have a bit more depth with Sanchez on the team.
And as for another Sanchez, Jonathan Sanchez, he’ll join DeRosa in San Jose Sunday night as he’s scheduled to make his first rehab assignment start. If all goes well he’ll throw again from them on Friday.
First pitch is set for 1:05 pm PT this afternoon with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.