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Giants-Padres Preview

May 20, 2009 - 6:27 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

San Francisco (19-19) at San Diego (17-22), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Problems at the plate have hurt San Diego and San Francisco all season. Thanks to strong bullpen work, the Padres have managed to overcome their latest batting slump.

With a three-game set between two of the majors' lowest-scoring teams living up to the billing so far, San Diego looks to match a season high with its fifth straight win Wednesday night while dropping the Giants below .500.

The Padres (17-22) won the series opener 2-1 on Tuesday despite going 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. They fell to last in the NL in runs scored with 147.

The Giants (19-19), meanwhile, lost for the fifth time in six games, going hitless in 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position. They're ranked 14th in the NL in runs with 151 and are now at risk of dropping under .500 for the first time since April 28.

"It comes down to executing," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "When you're in a tight ballgame, it's going to come back to hurt you."

San Diego, which won a season-high five straight from April 9-13, has managed to extend its current win streak despite totaling five runs in its last two contests.

Scott Hairston and Nick Hundley both homered Tuesday for San Diego, which got a strong start from Chris Young and a combined three scoreless innings from three relievers. The Padres' bullpen has not allowed a run in its last 15 1-3 innings, striking out 14 while holding opponents to a .100 batting average.

Heath Bell continues to shine for the Padres in his first season as a full-time closer, earning 10 saves in 10 chances. He has yet to allow a run, striking out 18 in 15 innings.

Bell earned a save in Chad Gaudin's first start of the season, but has not gotten a chance in his teammate's last three outings. Gaudin (0-3, 4.91), who will take the mound Wednesday, has a 6.35 ERA in losing all three of those starts.

He matched a career high with seven walks in his last outing, giving up four runs and one hit in 4 1-3 innings as San Diego lost 11-3 to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

Gaudin is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA in two starts and eight relief appearances against the Giants.

San Francisco will counter with Jonathan Sanchez (1-3, 5.06 ERA), who is 0-2 with a 7.98 ERA in his last three starts. The Giants have lost his last four starts, though the left-hander didn't get a decision Thursday night as he gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings as San Francisco lost 7-4 to the New York Mets on Thursday night.

Sanchez faced San Diego in his first start of the season, allowing five runs and four hits while walking five in 4 2-3 innings during a 6-3 San Francisco loss April 11. He's 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA in three starts and 10 relief appearances versus the Padres.

Sanzhez follows Barry Zito, who lost Tuesday despite pitching his first complete game since 2003 as San Francisco was held to two runs or fewer for the 15th time.

Randy Winn had three of the Giants' six hits. The veteran right fielder is 7 for 10 in his last two road games.

San Francisco could have Edgar Renteria (strained hamstring) back in the lineup Wednesday for the first time in five games. The shortstop ran prior to Tuesday's game and did not play even though he was available to pinch hit.