San Francisco @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2013 ) San Francisco 2, Arizona 1

The San Francisco Giants look for a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday after winning the first two games by a total of three runs. Arizona closer J.J. Putz blew his fourth save Tuesday, when the Giants won 2-1 on Pablo Sandoval’s two-run homer in the ninth. “It just seems like every time I leave one of those up, it’s getting crushed right now,” Putz told reporters. The Diamondbacks’ bullpen has allowed 11 home runs, matching the amount allowed by their starting pitchers.

The Giants’ starting rotation has been surprisingly inconsistent, but Sandoval has been on a tear since opening day. He has 11 hits in his last 17 at-bats, and his 35 hits are tied with Pittsburgh’s Starling Marte for the National League lead. Sandoval, who gave the team a scare when he left Monday’s game early with right elbow discomfort, leads the Giants with a .333 average and 22 RBIs. Rookie Nick Noonan is expected to start at second base Wednesday as the Giants give Marco Scutaro a day off. Scutaro is off to a slow start, batting .240 with four RBIs.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco), Fox Sports Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (2-1, 3.64 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 7.48)

McCarthy is still seeking his first win after giving up six runs in six innings Friday against the Rockies. The right-hander is winless in his last six starts dating back to 2012, going 0-4 with 7.47 ERA. The transition to the National League has been rocky for McCarthy, who has allowed a home run in each of his last three starts. He’s hoping for greater success at Chase Field, where he’s allowed 18 runs (16 earned) in 17 2/3 innings this season. The 29-year-old McCarthy is making his first career appearance against the Giants.

After posting a 5.62 ERA in his first three starts, Lincecum has improved dramatically with a 1.32 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings over his last two outings. He worked seven innings for the first time since last Aug. 10 on Friday against the Padres, allowing two runs with a season-high nine strikeouts. Paul Goldschmidt is 8-for-14 with five home runs and 10 RBIs against Lincecum, who is 7-8 with a 3.44 ERA in 21 career starts against Arizona. The two-time Cy Young award winner is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in his last five starts at Chase Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ten of the Diamondbacks’ last 11 losses have come by one or two runs.

2. Giants closer Sergio Romo has a 26-game scoreless streak covering 19 innings against Arizona.

3. The Diamondbacks signed veteran 1B/OF Juan Rivera to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Diamondbacks 3