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Cubs look to remain hot against Giants

Jul 16, 2007 - 1:18 PM San Francisco (38-51) at Chicago Cubs (47-43) 7:05 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs look to continue their recent run of success when they open a four-game series with the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

The Cubs have won three straight and 15 of 19 en route to a 25-12 record since June 3.

Rich Hill (5-6, 3.81 ERA) gets the start for the Cubs, who have won five of their last six series. Since going 3-1 with a 1.77 ERA in April, the lefthander is 2-5 with a 4.88 ERA in 12 starts.

Hill has not won since June 7, a span of five starts.

Barry Bonds, who has 751 home runs and is five shy of breaking Hank Aaron's all-time mark, is hitless in two career at-bats against Hill.

Bonds exploded after Sunday's 5-3 loss in which he went 0-for-5 and extended his hitless streak to a career-worst 20 at-bats. He has been stuck on 751 home runs since July 3.

"It's an embarrassment for me to be wearing this (bleeping) uniform 'cause of the way I'm playing," Bonds said. "There, that's it. Now go away."

Mired in a four-game skid, the Giants counter with Tim Lincecum (4-2, 4.63), who is seeking his third win in as many starts. Over his last three outings, the 23-year-old righthander is 2-0 with a 1.05 ERA.

This will be the Giants only appearance at Wrigley Field this season.