San Diego @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 17, 2013 ) San Diego 5, San Francisco 3

The San Diego Padres have won seven straight to move within one game of first-place Arizona, and they’re doing it without injured regulars Everth Cabrera, Carlos Quentin, Jedd Gyorko, Yonder Alonso and Cameron Maybin. Cabrera and Quentin are listed as day-to-day, while the others are on the disabled list. San Diego, which continues its three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, owns a 31-19 record since April 24.

The Padres moved past the Giants into third in the National League West with Monday’s 5-3 win in 13 innings. The Giants have lost five of their last seven, but they’re expected to have second baseman Marco Scutaro (finger) back in the lineup Tuesday. Center fielder Angel Pagan (hamstring) and third baseman Pablo Sandoval (foot) are hoping to begin rehab assignments this week.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, Comcast SportsNet-Bay Area

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Andrew Cashner (5-3, 3.52 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (5-3, 4.70)

Cashner turned in his second straight quality start last Tuesday, allowing two runs over eight innings against the Braves. He’s worked six or more innings in each of his last seven starts, going 4-1 with a 3.17 ERA over that stretch. Buster Posey is 4-for-9 with two homers against the 26-year-old right-hander, who is 1-3 with a 3.94 ERA in eight career games (two starts) against the Giants.

Cain has bounced back from a surprisingly shaky April by going 5-1 with a 3.54 ERA in his last eight starts. He’s 7-11 with a 3.17 ERA in 30 career starts against the Padres, going 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA in two starts last season. The 28-year-old Cain, who will be making the 250th start of his career, has allowed one run over his last two starts covering 13 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco has won seven of Cain's last nine starts.

2. The Padres are 24-9 when scoring first.

3. The Giants have won 15 of their last 20 home games against the Padres.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Padres 1