• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Giants figure to have boosted offense in finale with Phils

Jul 28, 2011 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - The San Francisco Giants are expected to have Carlos Beltran in their lineup on Thursday when they play the finale of their three- game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Beltran was acquired from the New York Mets on Wednesday after the six-time All-Star approved the deal. He is batting .289 with 15 homers, 66 RBI, a .513 slugging percentage, and an NL-best 30 doubles this season.

The Mets will reportedly pay $4 million of the more than $6 million remaining on the deal.

San Francisco, of course, has desperately needed a bat since catcher Buster Posey went down with a season-ending leg injury. As a team the defending world champions are hitting a mere .241 with 66 home runs.

While the Giants know who will be hitting third and playing in right field, they are not so sure who will be on the hill this evening. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum had been slated to go in the opener of this set on Tuesday, but illness forced him to miss not only that contest, but pushed him back yet again on Wednesday.

San Francisco didn't miss Lincecum, though, last night, as Matt Cain (9-6) allowed just four hits and one unearned run over seven-plus innings, as San Francisco pulled out a 2-1 win. Javier Lopez and Brian Wilson retired the final six batters to clinch the win.

Aaron Rowand and Nate Schierholtz each knocked in a run in the win.

Cole Hamels (12-6) took the loss despite another quality outing, as the lefty was charged with two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings.

"They're a tough team. They battle. I know they don't score a lot of runs, but they fight until the end. They're the type of team you can't take lightly," Hamels said of the reigning World Series champions.

Lincecum, meanwhile, hasn't pitched since last Thursday when he was outdueled by Los Angles' Clayton Kershaw in a 1-0 loss. He gave up a run and five hits in seven innings of that one, but fell to 8-8 to go along with a 2.90 ERA.

The diminutive righty has given up just three runs over his last three starts and is 2-1 in that span.

Lincecum has faced the Phillies seven times, posting a 2-1 mark with a 3.17 ERA.

Should Lincecum once again be unable to go the Giants will rely on surprising right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, who is 8-1 with a 2.10 ERA. He would be pitching on regular rest.

For the Phillies, they will turn to righty Kyle Kendrick, who is 5-4 with a 3.45 ERA. Kendrick did not get a decision on Saturday against San Diego, as he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-6 win.

Kendrick has yet to record a decision in two games against the Giants, but has pitched to a 3.38 ERA in those outings.