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Diamondbacks-Giants Preview

Aug 29, 2010 - 5:39 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Arizona (52-78) at San Francisco (71-59), 4:05 p.m. EDT

The San Francisco Giants have been unable to claw back from early deficits in the first two games of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

There's a pretty good chance they won't have to worry about falling behind in the finale.

Matt Cain, who has pitched 17 scoreless innings in two brilliant starts against last-place Arizona this season, looks to help his slumping club avoid an embarrassing sweep Sunday afternoon at AT&T Park.

San Francisco (71-59) came all the way back from a nine-run deficit to force extra innings Wednesday against Cincinnati before falling 12-11, and hasn't seemed the same since.

Tim Lincecum gave up three first-inning runs en route to a 6-0 loss in Friday's opener against Arizona, then Barry Zito surrendered six in the first Saturday while the Giants' offense stayed relatively silent in an ugly 11-3 defeat.

San Francisco's starters are 3-7 with a 6.82 ERA in their last 12 games.

"This isn't going to work," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We're not getting it done and the starting staff is what we're built on. We're going to have to get it fixed pretty quick. It's getting away from us early."

After Philadelphia's 3-1 win over San Diego on Saturday, San Francisco now trails the Phillies by 1 1/2 games in the NL wild-card race.

The Diamondbacks (52-78) can pick up a fourth straight win for the first time since May 19-22, but they can't be excited about seeing Cain (10-10, 3.07) standing in their way.

The right-hander gave up only a second-inning double to Mark Reynolds while completing a 5-0 home win May 28, then held Arizona to three hits over eight innings of a 3-0 victory at Chase Field on July 22.

"He's a good pitcher," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said after that loss. "He's done that to a lot of people."

Cain bounced back from a three-start winless streak in fine fashion Monday against Cincinnati. He held the NL's top offense to two runs and five hits over eight innings in an 11-2 win, improving to 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA in five home starts since the All-Star break.

Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew, 9 for 18 with three homers and six RBIs in his last four games, is 7 for 24 (.292) with two homers against Cain.

Rodrigo Lopez (5-12, 5.09) gets the unenviable assignment of opposing Cain once again as he looks to win for the first time in nine second-half starts. Lopez gave up three runs and struck out seven over seven innings July 22 when Cain pitched.

The right-hander has pitched especially poorly on the road since mid-July. Lopez fell to 0-3 with a 9.74 ERA in his last four starts away from home after allowing five runs and nine hits over 4 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 5-0 loss at San Diego.

He surrendered two more homers to increase his total to a major league-high 32, tying his career high set with Baltimore in 2006.

"I'm working, trying to keep the team in the game," Lopez said. "Things are not working. There's not much I can do. I need to keep myself positive and move forward and just do better next time."

Lopez is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four career starts versus San Francisco. Shortstop Juan Uribe is 7 for 16 (.438) with two homers against him.

Giants rookie catcher Buster Posey missed Saturday's game with a mild left forearm strain, but should return Sunday.