San Francisco @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2013 ) San Francisco 1, San Diego 4

Madison Bumgarner aims for his first win since Aug. 2 on Tuesday when the San Francisco Giants continue their three-game series against the San Diego Padres, who opened their six-game homestand on Monday with a 4-1 victory. Bumgarner has posted a 2.63 ERA over last eight starts, but the Giants have gone 1-7 over that stretch. San Francisco has fared better when the 24-year-old takes the mound against San Diego, winning 10 of his last 11 starts.

Padres third baseman Chase Headley is expected to miss his sixth straight game with a stiff lower back, but he’s hoping to return for Wednesday’s series finale. The Giants’ clubhouse will be a little more crowded after the team promoted eight players on Monday, including outfielders Francisco Peguero and Juan Perez and relievers George Kontos, Heath Hembree and Jake Dunning. Hembree was once considered a future closer, but he's coming off a shaky season at Triple-A Fresno.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (11-9, 2.91 ERA) vs. Padres LH Robbie Erlin (2-2, 5.97)

Bumgarner needed 104 pitches to get through 5 1/3 innings against Colorado last Wednesday, when he surrendered four runs (three earned). The All-Star pitcher has tossed 176 1/3 innings this season, but the Giants aren't expected to limit his workload in the final month. Chris Denorfia is 15-for-41 (.366) against Bumgarner, who is 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 15 career starts against the Padres.

Erlin strengthened his case to begin next season in the Padres’ rotation with a strong effort last Wednesday, when he tossed six innings of one-run ball against Arizona. “His arm and hand speed were as good as I’ve seen from him this year,” said manager Bud Black. “He was throwing great.” The 22-year-old is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts at Petco Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants SS Brandon Crawford is mired in a 5-for-41 slump over his last 13 games.

2. San Diego is 36-23 when scoring first.

3. Giants RHP Matt Cain (forearm contusion) threw 90 pitches in the bullpen prior to Monday’s game and is expected to return Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Padres 2