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Diamondbacks-Giants Preview

Aug 28, 2010 - 6:32 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Arizona (50-78) at San Francisco (71-57), 9:05 p.m. EDT

The San Francisco Giants haven't lost three straight home games since June, but they're in danger of another such skid after an offensive no-show in their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Facing Daniel Hudson isn't likely to help.

The Diamondbacks' rookie looks to continue his recent success and keep the Giants from knotting this three-game series Saturday night at AT&T Park.

San Francisco (71-58) scored 38 runs in a torrid offensive showcase against Cincinnati earlier this week, but dropped the finale of that series 12-11. A day off Thursday then gave way to an off day at the plate Friday.

Barry Enright and two relievers held the Giants to seven singles, while Adam LaRoche's three-run homer in the first inning provided all the offense Arizona (51-78) needed in a 6-0 win.

"When you get in a hole like that in the first inning obviously it puts your defense and your offense trying to fight back," said two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who lost his fifth straight start.

Philadelphia's 3-2, 12-inning victory at San Diego kept the Giants within six games of the NL West lead, but dropped them one-half game behind the Phillies in the wild-card race. San Francisco is trying to avoid its first three-game home losing streak since dropping five in a row June 26-30 as part of a season-high seven-game overall skid.

Enright's impressive outing was the Diamondbacks' second straight after Ian Kennedy threw seven brilliant one-hit innings Thursday against San Diego, and Hudson (3-1, 1.72 ERA) seems quite capable of providing another fine start.

Since coming over from the Chicago White Sox in a deal for Edwin Jackson on July 30, he's done nothing but pitch brilliantly. The 23-year-old right-hander held Colorado to four hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out nine Sunday, but didn't get any help in a 1-0 loss.

The word about Hudson's capabilities is traveling fast. LaRoche, hitting .326 with eight homers in August, has heard plenty of praise for his teammate on the rare occasion an opposing hitter reaches base.

"They talk about how nasty he is," the first baseman told the Diamondbacks' official website, "and how uncomfortable the at-bat is."

One hitter Hudson may avoid facing is fellow rookie Buster Posey. San Francisco's catcher left in the eighth inning Friday with a mild left forearm strain and is day to day.

Hudson will be opposed by Barry Zito (8-9, 3.78), who's been a victim of his own inconsistency and a startling lack of run support since the All-Star break.

Zito is 0-5 with a 4.53 ERA in eight games since July 21, but the Giants have totaled seven runs for the left-hander in his seven starts during that stretch.

Zito gave up five runs over 3 2-3 innings Sunday in a 9-0 loss at St. Louis, then was called upon to pitch the 12th in Wednesday's wild extra-inning game against Cincinnati. He surrendered three hits and the tiebreaking run in San Francisco's 12-11 defeat.

"I'm not going out there giving the team a chance to win," Zito said after the loss to the Cardinals.

The southpaw is 1-4 with a 6.98 ERA in his last eight starts against the Diamondbacks, whom he hasn't faced in 2010.

Though LaRoche is 0 for 5 with two strikeouts against Zito, Mark Reynolds has made up for his infield teammate's lack of success. Arizona's third baseman is 7 for 15 with two homers and seven walks versus Zito.