• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Giants begin series across the country in Pittsburgh

Apr 26, 2011 - 3:01 PM (Sports Network) - The San Francisco Giants look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight in Pittsburgh as they kick off a three-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park.

San Francisco was swept at home over the weekend by Atlanta after Sunday's 9-6 loss. Nate McLouth had a decisive two-run single in the 10th inning off Giants closer Brian Wilson (0-1), who allowed three runs in the 10th after throwing a scoreless ninth. Jason Heyward added three hits, including a three-run homer off reliever Jeremy Affeldt in the seventh. San Francisco starter Jonathan Sanchez went five innings and gave up two runs on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Buster Posey smacked a two-run homer in defeat while Aaron Rowand's two-run double in the seventh capped a four-run inning to give the hosts a 6-5 lead. However, Dan Uggla led off the very next frame with a solo blast courtesy of Sergio Romo to even the score.

"We're not playing Giants baseball right now," said Wilson. "We're scuffling a little bit, but we're still in the thick of things."

The Giants will turn to right-hander Matt Cain Tuesday in hopes of stopping their slide. Cain will also be looking to right the ship after a poor showing against the Rockies last Wednesday. The 26-year-old suffered his first loss of the season after getting pounded for nine hits and six runs over just 4 2/3 frames in the eventual 10-2 loss. Cain's record dropped to 2-1 following a solid beginning to 2011 in which he lasted at least six innings and yielded no more than two runs in each of his first three starts.

Cain squared off opposite Pittsburgh one time in 2010, tossing six innings and allowing three runs on five hits in making his second start of the campaign April 13. He failed to get a decision in that one and is just 1-2 over seven career starts versus the Pirates, carrying a 3.72 earned-run average into tonight's matchup.

Pittsburgh wrapped up its extended three-game series with the Nationals Monday with a 4-2 win, taking the rubber match after Friday's scheduled opener was rained out at PNC Park.

Paul Maholm (1-3) was solid on the mound, allowing two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts against two walks in a seven-inning start. Joel Hanrahan worked a scoreless ninth to record his sixth save of the season and Evan Meek tossed a perfect eighth inning. Brandon Wood had a two-run double in his first game for the Pirates after being claimed off waivers from the Angels on Friday.

Charlie Morton takes to the bump for the Bucs tonight hoping to regain some form following a subpar showing against the Marlins last Wednesday. The 27- year-old righty was touched for 10 hits and six runs in just five innings of the 6-0 loss, his first defeat of the season. He was coming off a spectacular complete-game effort versus Cincinnati April 15 in which he scattered five hits and a single run during a 6-1 victory.

Morton saw action in one start opposite the Giants last season in which he was reached for six runs in six innings of a 6-0 loss on April 14. In four career outings against San Francisco, Morton is 1-3 with a 3.96 ERA.

The Giants have won eight of the last 12 meetings with Pittsburgh spanning the last two seasons.