San Francisco @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2013 ) San Francisco 3, Milwaukee 4
Although the Milwaukee Brewers haven’t won much yet, they have made it exciting when they have. They’ll try to continue that trend Thursday and sweep a series from the San Francisco Giants for the first time since 2008 when they conclude a three-game set in Milwaukee. Blake Lalli sailed a single over a drawn-in outfield with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday, giving the Brewers a 4-3 victory. Of Milwaukee’s five wins, three have come in walk-off fashion.
San Francisco entered this series with a 5-2 road record, but has been unable to take advantage of Milwaukee with an injured Aramis Ramirez and a slumping Ryan Braun. Following a 10-8 setback in the series opener, the Giants struggled to get much going against Milwaukee’s Kyle Lohse, who retired the first 14 batters he faced. Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Crawford each extended their hitting streaks to 10 games, but Santiago Casilla gave up the winning run in his second inning of work after flirting with danger in the eighth.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (0-1, 5.94 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (0-1, 6.61)
Cain bounced back from one of the worst starts of his career in San Francisco’s 4-3 loss against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The 28-year-old allowed two runs and seven hits over seven innings but was stuck with a no-decision. Cain has been strong in two road starts, carrying a 1.38 ERA over 13 frames while striking out 14 batters. He hasn’t fared nearly as well in nine career starts against Milwaukee (3-5, 4.50 ERA) and struggled even more at Miller Park, (2-3, 5.56 ERA).
Gallardo’s status for Thursday remains a fluid situation after the one-time All-Star was arrested early Tuesday morning in Milwaukee and cited with a DUI. The right-hander is off to the worst start of his career after getting roughed up for six runs – five earned – and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings in Saturday’s 8-0 setback at St. Louis. Gallardo, who holds a 39-19 record and 3.39 ERA in 79 career appearances (78 starts) at Miller Park, is 5-3 with a 2.96 ERA in eight career outings against the Giants.
WALK-OFFS
1. Jonathan Lucroy and Lalli – both catchers – have accounted for all three walk-off hits by the Brewers.
2. San Francisco has grounded into 17 double plays this season, the most in the majors.
3. Braun has one hit and struck out 11 times in his last five games (18 at-bats).
PREDICTION: Giants 6, Brewers 3