Cincinnati @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2015 ) Cincinnati 9, San Francisco 8

The San Francisco Giants attempt to keep alive their slim playoff chances when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday in the rubber match of their three-game series. San Francisco had its four-game winning streak halted Tuesday as it fell 7 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second National League wild-card spot and remained 7 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

The Giants squandered a two-run lead in the seventh inning but scored one in the eighth and two in the ninth to forge a tie before dropping a 9-8 decision in 10 frames. Matt Duffy continued his torrid pace for San Francisco, going 3-for-5 for his fourth multi-hit performance in five contests. The Reds improved to 1-1 on their nine-game trek after taking four of five from NL Central-leading St. Louis over the weekend. Todd Frazier provided the heroics Tuesday by leading off the 10th with his 34th homer of the season and fourth in seven games.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 5.45 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jake Peavy (6-6, 4.15)

Lorenzen settled for a no-decision against St. Louis on Friday after allowing two runs and 10 hits in five innings. The 23-year-old Californian has given up two runs in each of his last two outings after surrendering five or more in four of his previous five turns. Lorenzen made his only career appearance on May 15 when he yielded three runs on three hits and two walks in two innings of relief.

Peavy won his third consecutive decision on Friday when he allowed one run and two hits in seven innings against San Diego. The 34-year-old native of Alabama has not lost since yielding four runs in six frames at Pittsburgh on Aug. 20. Peavy has dominated Cincinnati in his career, going 6-0 with two complete games and a 2.33 ERA in 11 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Duffy has not gone consecutive games without recording a hit since July 2 and 3.

2. Cincinnati OF Billy Hamilton will be available as a pinch runner Wednesday as he nurses a sore shoulder.

3. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford, who has been sidelined since Sept. 8 with oblique and calf tightness, could be in Wednesday's lineup.

PREDICTION: Giants 7, Reds 5