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Giants-Padres Preview

Sep 12, 2010 - 12:35 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

San Francisco (80-62) at San Diego (79-61), 4:05 p.m. EDT

Pitching has been the story in the last two games of this matchup of the best teams in the NL West, and runs should be at a premium in Sunday's finale.

The first-place San Diego Padres will have major league ERA leader Mat Latos on the mound at Petco Park against two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants.

San Francisco (80-63) won the first two games of this four-game set to pull into a virtual tie for the division lead. Jonathan Sanchez and five relievers combined on a three-hitter in a 1-0 victory Friday.

The Padres (80-61) returned the favor as Tim Stauffer and three relievers combined on a three-hitter in a 1-0 win Saturday that restored a one-game lead for San Diego.

"If we win Sunday, it puts them two games back and, basically, puts us in the driver's seat again," Padres closer Heath Bell said.

Yorvit Torrealba's homer in the third inning was all San Diego needed for just its fourth win in 16 games. Torrealba was 7 for 47 in his previous 15 games before getting two hits Saturday.

The Padres, who were last out of first place since June 16, improved to 10-4 against the Giants this year.

It probably won't be easy for the Giants against Latos (14-5, 2.21 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in four starts against them. No. 3 hitter Aubrey Huff went 0 for 12 against him in those games.

Latos had his last start pushed back a day due to stomach flu, and didn't show any effects in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers. He allowed one run and four hits over seven innings and struck out 10.

The 22-year-old right-hander has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 15 consecutive starts.

"He's pitched very consistently all year," manager Bud Black said. "What you've seen, obviously, is a guy with great talent, with good stuff, who's throwing strikes, who's pitching aggressive. When you have that type of stuff and that mindset, good things will happen."

Lincecum (13-9, 3.69) has won consecutive outings since going 0-5 with a 7.82 ERA in five starts in August. He gave up three runs over 6 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 6-3 win at Arizona.

The right-hander has amassed 20 strikeouts in his two straight wins.

"It starts just taking over," said Lincecum about finding his rhythm. "You start not thinking too much and things just start happening second nature and on their own."

Lincecum has faced the Padres once this year, lasting 3 2-3 innings and allowing six runs in an 8-2 home loss Aug. 15. He fell to 4-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 12 career starts against them, including 2-2 with a 1.98 ERA in six at Petco Park.

Latos is 5-2 with a 1.99 ERA in 10 home outings this year.

Padres cleanup hitter Adrian Gonzalez is 7 for 36 with 16 strikeouts in his career against Lincecum. Gonzalez is hitting .226 against the Giants this year.