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Giants commence series with Marlins by the Bay

May 24, 2011 - 2:49 PM (Sports Network) - The San Francisco Giants go after a sixth straight win this evening when they open a three-game series against the Florida Marlins at AT&T Park.

The defending world champions come into tonight's opener on the heels of a thrilling weekend sweep of the Oakland Athletics, culminating with a 5-4, 11- inning win on Sunday when Emmanuel Burriss slapped a game-winning single to right field.

Sergio Romo (2-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief to give the Giants their fifth straight victory. Starter Jonathan Sanchez threw six innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out six.

"It seems like we're seeing this sort of thing every night," said San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy. "It's part of the game and there's been some great ones here."

Of the Giants' 13 home wins this season, seven have been of the walkoff variety.

Hoping it does not come down to their final at-bat this evening, the Giants turn to right-hander Matt Cain, who is 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA. Cain did not get a decision on Wednesday in Los Angeles, as the Dodgers reached him for three runs and three hits in 7 1/3 innings of an 8-5 win.

Cain is a perfect 3-0 with a 2.98 ERA in seven starts against the Marlins.

Florida, meanwhile, will counter with righty Ricky Nolasco, who is 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA, but hasn't earned a decision in his last three starts. Against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday Nolasco allowed five runs (four earned) and nine hits in six innings of his team's 7-5 loss.

Nolasco has faced the Giants four times and is 2-2 with a 1.91 ERA.

Florida was denied a sweep in a weekend set against the Sunshine State rival Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, dropping a 4-0 decision in the finale at Sun Life Stadium. Gaby Sanchez collected two hits for the Marlins, who have lost three of five.

In his first career major-league start, Jay Buente (0-1) allowed five hits and four runs -- three earned -- with three walks over three full frames.

"I felt good in the bullpen before the game," Buente said. "You just wanna go out there and slow the game down, do what you want to do and get in the zone to find your pitches. I think I just have to get in that zone a little more."

San Francisco won five of its seven matchups against the Marlins last season.