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Brewers-Giants Preview

Sep 18, 2010 - 6:39 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Milwaukee (68-78) at San Francisco (83-65), 9:05 p.m. EDT

San Francisco hasn't been able to count on much success at the plate lately. But after watching him struggle in August, the Giants have been able to rely again on Tim Lincecum.

The reigning two-time NL Cy Young Award winner goes for his fourth straight win, and the Giants will try to hold on to first place in the NL West on Saturday when they continue a weekend set with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Despite a 3-0 loss Friday, San Francisco (83-65) maintained a one-half game lead over San Diego, which lost to St. Louis. Colorado, though, drew within 1 1/2 games of the lead after topping the Dodgers.

Randy Wolf held San Francisco to three hits for his first complete game of the season Friday. It was the third time six games that the Giants were blanked, and that's raised some concerns down the stretch.

"I just didn't think we did a very good job getting opportunities to score," left fielder Pat Burrell said. "This time of year, you really can't afford to come out and not put pressure on other teams."

The Giants gave up 12 hits, but have not allowed more than three runs in any of their last 12 games.

They'll try to avoid consecutive losses for the first time since a three-game skid from Aug. 25-28 when they hand the ball to Lincecum (14-9, 3.60 ERA), who has bounced back after a tough August.

The right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in September, striking out 29 while giving up two walks in 21 2-3 innings. Last month, he went 0-5 with a 7.82 ERA and walked 13 over 25 1-3 innings despite striking out 27.

Lincecum gave up one run, seven hits and struck out nine in seven innings of a 6-1 win over San Diego on Sunday.

"I just have to try to keep that going," he told the Giants' official website.

Lincecum picked up a win against Milwaukee on July 7, giving up one run and four hits over seven innings of a 15-2 rout.

He's 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA in six career starts against the Brewers, including 0-1 with a 6.60 ERA in three home starts. Ryan Braun, who had three hits and scored twice Friday, is 6 for 15 with two home runs against Lincecum.

Braun is playing well even with Milwaukee (68-78) well out of contention, batting .426 in his last 11 games.

The Brewers, who will try to win three straight on the road for the first time since mid-June, will hand the ball to Yovani Gallardo (12-7, 3.64).

On Sunday, the right-hander earned his first since Aug. 8 after giving up four hits with six strikeouts in a 2-0 win over the Cubs. He had been 0-2 with an 8.16 ERA in his previous five starts.

Gallardo hasn't faced the Giants this season. He is 3-2 with a 4.25 ERA in five career starts against them, and 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA in two games at AT&T Park.