Miami @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2014 ) Miami 4, San Francisco 6

San Francisco’s Yusmeiro Petit takes the mound Friday in place of injured starter Tim Hudson when the Giants host the Miami Marlins, who have lost six of their last seven. Hudson was scratched due to a strained left hip, but he’s expected to avoid the disabled list and hopes to make his next scheduled start May 22 at Colorado. The Giants recorded 12 hits and won Thursday’s series opener 6-4 behind Matt Cain’s seven-plus innings and Michael Morse’s 10th home run.

The Marlins are back at .500 despite the efforts of right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, who is batting .417 (25-for-60) during his career-best 17-game hitting streak. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Thursday’s loss and is hitless in his last 26 at-bats, but outfielder Reed Johnson is making a case for more playing time while going 9-for-20 with two homers over his last six games. Johnson started in left field Thursday in place of Marcell Ozuna, who has four hits in his last 21 at-bats.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET; FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (2-3, 3.33 ERA) vs. Giants RH Yusmeiro Petit (2-1, 4.85)

Alvarez followed up his complete-game shutout against the Mets with a dismal outing against San Diego last Sunday, when he yielded five runs in four innings. “He didn't have a good feel for his sinker and that is his bread and butter,” catcher Jeff Mathis told reporters. The 24-year-old, who is 0-2 with a 4.57 ERA in four road starts this season, allowed four runs over seven innings in a 6-4 loss to San Francisco last Aug. 17.

Petit has experience as a last-minute starter after taking Cain’s spot on April 29 and throwing six shutout innings against San Diego. The 29-year-old went 1-0 with a 6.97 ERA in two starts for Cain, who landed on the disabled list with a cut right index finger. Petit, who is facing Miami for the first time since 2009, owns a 0.61 ERA in seven home games (one start) while posting a 10.32 ERA in four road contests (one start).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants are 19-4 when scoring first this season.

2. Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez will have season-ending Tommy John surgery on Friday.

3. Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval is 9-for-24 during his season-high six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Marlins 6, Giants 3