With the San Francisco Giants hopefully hitting proverbial rock bottom in Monday night's loss to the Chicago Cubs, they can regroup and get back on track Tuesday behind All-Star Ryan Vogelsong. Now five games behind Arizona in the NL West and the D'backs not looking like a slow down is in the near future San Francisco must buckle down and figure out a way to start winning some ballgames.
Vogelsong (10-4 2.54 ERA) has been struggling in his last few outings, unfortunately taking two straight losses to the Astros. Vogey gave up no more than three runs in either outing in seven plus innings of work, although he received a total of one run of support in both of those starts. Hopefully the Giants bats can get going for once.
The Cubs will counter with Matt Garza (6-10 3.68 ERA), making his first career start against the Black and Orange. He took the loss against the Braves his last time out, allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks, fanning six along the way in his five innings of work. It was the first time ever in his career that he surrendered six or more runs with three or fewer of them earned.
Speaking of the Giants bats, I should really just say bat; because the only one that seems to be working right now is that of Carlos Beltran. He's the only Giant with at least two extra-base hits (a double and a homer) during this homestand, and is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with a double, home run and two RBIs over the seven games he's played.
Fitst pitch is scheduled for 7:15 pm PT this evening with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.