Colorado @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 24, 2013 ) Colorado 5, San Francisco 0

Barry Zito returns to AT&T Park on Saturday, which could mean trouble for the Colorado Rockies. Zito has struggled in his last two starts on the road, but is 5-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 12 career games (11 starts) at AT&T Park against the Rockies. The San Francisco Giants could use a strong outing from the veteran left-hander after dropping the series opener 5-0 on Friday. The loss dropped San Francisco out of a three-way tie with Colorado and Arizona atop the National League West.

Colorado received a boost Friday when right fielder Michael Cuddyer homered and had three RBIs in his first game since landing on the disabled list with a neck injury May 9. Cuddyer hit fifth in the order, with rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado moving to the second spot. Colorado has won four straight against the Giants, who were shut out Friday for the first time in their last 51 regular-season home games.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (4-1, 4.47 ERA) vs. Giants LH Barry Zito (3-3, 3.91)

Nicasio seemed on the verge of being sent to Triple-A Colorado Springs before turning in his best outing of the season Sunday against the Giants. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed three hits over six scoreless innings. “Sometimes a guy just needs a breakout game, and maybe this was it for him,” Rockies pitching coach Jim Wright told reporters. He is 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA in three career starts against the Giants.

Zito is 3-0 with a 0.55 ERA in five starts at AT&T Park, and gave up five runs on 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings Sunday in Colorado. Carlos Gonzalez is 10-for-31 with a homer against Zito, who is 8-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 22 career games against the Rockies. Zito, who is looking for his first win since April 21, has allowed 13 runs (10 earned) over his last 11 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt has not pitched since Tuesday because of a groin injury, but he was available Friday.

2. The Giants have gone 10-3 at home this season against National League West opponents.

3. Colorado RHP Roy Oswalt allowed three runs over five innings in his first start for Double-A Tulsa on Friday. Oswalt is expected to make two more minor-league starts before joining the Rockies.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Rockies 4