San Francisco @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( May 27, 2013 ) San Francisco 1, Oakland 4

Left-hander Mike Kickham makes his major-league debut Tuesday as the San Francisco Giants conclude their brief two-game set against the Oakland Athletics, who have won four straight and nine of their last 10. The Giants are hoping to have Angel Pagan back in the lineup after the center fielder missed the previous two games with a mild hamstring strain. After Tuesday’s contest, the teams head to San Francisco for games on Wednesday and Thursday.

Oakland's Josh Donaldson provided the key blast in Monday's 4-1 victory with a two-run homer. He is batting .370 with six home runs and 25 RBIs over his last 33 games. His San Francisco counterpart, Pablo Sandoval, has two hits in his last 18 at-bats. Giants reliever Santiago Casilla will have surgery to remove a cyst in his right leg on Tuesday, and he’s hoping to return soon after the All-Star break. Jeremy Affeldt will replace Casilla as the team’s primary setup man.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Mike Kickham (NR) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (2-6, 5.76 ERA)

Kickham was promoted from Triple-A Fresno to start in place of Ryan Vogelsong, who will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a broken right hand. The 24-year-old Kickham, who was 3-4 with a 4.33 ERA in 10 starts for Fresno this season, earned the nod after going 3-1 with a 1.72 ERA over his last five turns during which he tossed 31 1/3 innings. Reliever Sandy Rosario was sent to Fresno to make room for Kickham.

After a dismal month of April, Parker has turned in three consecutive quality starts. He’s 2-2 with a 4.02 ERA over his last five outings after going 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA in his first five. The right-hander is coming off a strong effort against the Rangers on Wednesday, when he allowed three runs over seven innings. The 24-year-old Parker is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in two career starts against San Francisco.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants have lost four straight road games and 12 of their last 16.

2. Athletics closer Grant Balfour has converted each of his last 29 save opportunities dating back to last season.

3. The Giants began a stretch during which they will play 14-of-18 away from AT&T Park on Monday.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Giants 2