San Francisco @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2013 ) San Francisco 10, Arizona 5

Pablo Sandoval is expected to miss the San Francisco Giants’ series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday after aggravating his left foot strain while running to first base in Saturday’s 10-5 win. The third baseman will undergo an MRI as a precaution, but the Giants are hopeful he won’t require a trip to the disabled list. Sandoval, who is mired in a 9-for-42 slump, has started 55 of the team’s 61 games.

The Diamondbacks could use a strong outing from rookie Tyler Skaggs in Sunday’s rubber game after four relievers threw a combined 5 1/3 innings on Saturday. Paul Goldschmidt drove in one run in the loss, giving him an RBI in eight straight games to tie the club record set by Luis Gonzalez in 2002. Goldschmidt is batting .357 with three homers and 22 RBIs over his last 14 games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN (Arizona)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chad Gaudin (1-1, 2.21 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Tyler Skaggs (1-0, 3.86)

Gaudin started for the first time this season last Sunday against St. Louis, allowing two runs over six innings. The game marked Gaudin’s first start since Sept. 28, 2009, when he pitched for the New York Yankees. Jason Kubel is 7-for-10 with two home runs against Gaudin, who is 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA in 11 career games (three starts) vs. the Diamondbacks.

After pitching six scoreless innings in his season debut, Skaggs allowed five runs in 5 2/3 frames last Tuesday against the Cardinals. The 21-year-old left-hander lost his only career start against the Giants on Sept. 14, 2012, when he gave up five runs over four innings. He’s expected to remain in the rotation for several more weeks with Brandon McCarthy (shoulder inflammation) on the disabled list.


WALK-OFFS

1. Giants RF Hunter Pence is 12-for-12 in stolen-base attempts this season.

2. Arizona is 2-8 in its last 10 games against the Giants at Chase Field.

3. The Giants optioned INF Nick Noonan to Triple-A Fresno and activated INF Tony Abreu from the 60-day disabled list.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 7, Giants 5