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Giants-Braves Preview

Aug 6, 2010 - 4:05 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

San Francisco (62-46) at Atlanta (61-46), 7:35 p.m. EDT

Despite being one of the majors' hottest clubs over the past month, the San Francisco Giants likely knew they were in for a challenge with a trip to face the Atlanta Braves.

After the majors' best home team lived up to expectations by beating the Giants ace in the opener, Barry Zito tries to remain unbeaten at Turner Field and help San Francisco avoid a third straight loss Friday night.

The Giants (62-47) entered the series having won 21 of 27 since July 4, but they fell 3-2 on Thursday night as Atlanta's Eric Hinske hit a go-ahead home run off two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.

Alex Gonzalez had a two-run shot to help the NL East-leading Braves improve to 37-14 at home, but they have split 20 games overall since the All-Star break.

"It was a huge win for us. You can't underestimate getting a win against their No. 1," Hinske said.

Atlanta (62-46) held a seven-game division lead two weeks ago, but that advantage is at two heading into Friday. The Giants have a 1 1/2-game lead in the wild-card race as they send Zito (8-6, 3.38 ERA) to the mound.

The veteran left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA all-time at Turner Field, surrendering one run in his last 14 innings there. Chipper Jones and Brian McCann are a combined 0 for 9 against him.

However, Zito has received zero run support in his last three starts overall, going 0-2 despite a 2.61 ERA. He allowed one run and three hits over seven innings Saturday in a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His battery mate, rookie Buster Posey, will try to bounce back after a disappointing first game back in his home state. The Leesburg, Ga., native was 0 for 4 on Thursday, but the reigning NL player of the month is hitting .398 in his last 31 games with seven homers and 27 RBIs.

Atlanta rookie outfielder Jason Heyward doubled Thursday and is batting .324 over his last 19 contests. Heyward and Posey were on opposite teams during a 2005 state championship game in Georgia and could battle again for NL rookie of the year.

"It will be fun to watch," Braves outfielder Matt Diaz told the Giants' official website. "Both are hitting in an impact spot in the lineup. You don't always see rookies in that position."

Heyward is looking to end a 28-game homer drought as he tries to lead Atlanta to three straight wins for the first time since a four-game run July 6-10.

Like Zito, counterpart Tommy Hanson (8-8, 3.83) has gotten poor support of late, receiving a combined six runs over his last four starts while going 0-3. The right-hander has a 2.55 ERA during that skid and was on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat in Cincinnati on Sunday despite allowing two runs over 7 1-3 innings.

"It's always tough losing," Hanson told the team's official website. "I feel like I went out there and gave us the best chance to win. It just didn't work out."

Hanson won his only start against the Giants on July 20, 2009, allowing three runs and five hits over seven innings in an 11-3 victory.

San Francisco hasn't dropped three in a row since a season-high, seven-game skid June 26-July 2.