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Diamondbacks-Giants Preview

Aug 25, 2009 - 7:11 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Arizona (55-70) at San Francisco (67-58), 10:15 p.m. EDT

The San Francisco Giants must find a way to bounce back from a disappointing end to their longest road trip of the season. Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks could help.

The reeling Giants look to avoid a fourth straight loss as they host Dan Haren and the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

San Francisco (67-58) blew a three-run lead in the 14th inning and lost 6-4 to Colorado on Ryan Spilborghs' grand slam Monday to conclude a 5-6 trip and fall four games behind the wild-card leading Rockies.

"It doesn't get much tougher than the game we lost," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "You've got to move on ... somehow put this behind us. We'll head home and get back on track."

The Giants, who lost three of four at Colorado, get another shot at the Rockies this weekend, but first must take care of Arizona (55-70). San Francisco is 6-3 against the Diamondbacks, who snapped a season-high seven-game losing streak with a 7-5 win at Houston on Sunday.

Despite their success versus Arizona, the Giants have mostly been held in check against Haren (12-8, 2.74 ERA), who's 2-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his last four starts against San Francisco. He allowed one run in six innings of a 2-0 loss at San Francisco on April 17, and is 6-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 13 career starts versus the NL West rival.

Haren, though, is 2-2 with a 5.88 ERA overall this month.

The right-hander gave up six runs and nine hits - including three homers - in five innings of an 8-1 loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday. Haren has allowed at least one homer in six consecutive starts.

"Something I hadn't been doing earlier is making mistakes," Haren told the Diamondbacks' official Web site. "It seems like every mistake I make now, I'm paying for it."

The Giants have hit seven homers in their last four games, but scored six runs total in the last two. San Francisco's bullpen has also struggled recently, posting an 8.82 ERA in the last five contests.

Eugenio Velez had three hits Monday, including a two-run triple in the top of the 14th. Pablo Sandoval drove in the first run, but could miss this contest after leaving Monday's game with a tight right calf.

Among the NL leaders with a .331 average, Sandoval is hitting .472 with two homers and six RBIs against Arizona this season.

Trying a sixth time to match his career high for victories, Matt Cain (12-4, 2.43) takes the ball for the Giants.

While Cain is 0-2 in his last five starts since winning at Colorado on July 24, he has a 2.97 ERA during that span. He allowed one run in eight innings of a 2-1, 10-inning loss at Cincinnati on Thursday.

The right-hander is 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 games against the Diamondbacks, including 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in two this year.

Arizona infielder Ryan Roberts is 1 for 9 against the Giants this season, but matched a career high with four hits as the Diamondbacks snapped a nine-game road losing streak Sunday.

The offensive outburst came after the Diamondbacks scored 14 runs while batting .185 during their seven-game skid.

"We've got to be a little more patient," catcher Miguel Montero said of the Diamondbacks, whose .252 average with runners on base is among the worst in the majors. "It's tough for us, but it's a learning process."