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Giants 1B McClain making mark on majors

Sep 5, 2008 - 10:24 AM Pittsburgh (59-80) at San Francisco (60-79) 10:15 p.m. EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants are playing only for pride, but that isn't stopping Scott McClain from making his mark in the majors.

McClain and the Giants go for consecutive wins on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

McClain, 36, has spent nearly his entire professional career in the minors, logging over 7,000 at-bats and 362 home runs in nearly 20 years that includes a stint in Japan. He had played in 30 games in the majors before being called up from Class AAA Fresno on Monday when the rosters were expanded to 40 players.

After batting .300 with 29 homers and 108 RBI with the Grizzlies, McClain continued his offensive assault on Wednesday, registering three hits and three RBI while stroking his first major league home run during the Giants' 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

"I knew I put a good swing on," McClain said of the solo blast. "Initially, as it was leaving, there was a moment of relief when I knew it was going to go. I wanted to slow things down to a walk and take it all in. It was such a relief."

McClain looks to continue his hot hitting against Pirates starter Zach Duke (4-13, 5.14 ERA), who is looking for his first win since June 9 - a span of 14 starts.

Kevin Correia (3-7, 5.35) tries to earn his second win in three starts for the Giants.