San Francisco @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2013 ) San Francisco 1, Arizona 0
The Arizona Diamondbacks are having trouble making up ground in the race for the National League's second wild card - and they can thank the San Francisco Giants for a fair share of their troubles. Winners of four of six overall, the Giants attempt to defeat the Diamondbacks for the 10th time in 14 outings this season when they reconvene in Arizona on Saturday. San Francisco's Angel Pagan returned from the 60-day disabled list following hamstring surgery to speed home on Brandon Belt's sacrifice fly in the first inning for the lone run of the contest on Friday.
The Diamondbacks suffered their second straight loss to remain six games behind Cincinnati as they vie for the last postseason berth. Arizona couldn't locate a timely hit with a compass on Friday, going 1-for-12 with runners on base and 0-for-6 with them in scoring position. Miguel Montero has gone 2-for-4 in each of his last two contests - and registered a pair of 2-for-4 efforts during a three-game series versus San Francisco on July 19-21.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CS Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN (Arizona)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 5.58 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (5-10, 4.39)
Vogelsong is coming off his first victory - in impressive fashion, no less - since returning from the DL. The 36-year-old scattered two hits over eight sizzling innings of a 4-0 triumph over Pittsburgh on Sunday. Vogelsong settled for a no-decision in his last meeting with Arizona after permitting four runs on seven hits in as many innings on April 22.
Cahill picked up his second straight victory on Aug. 24, albeit in a relief role. The 25-year-old scattered two hits over four scoreless innings as Arizona outlasted Philadelphia in 18 frames. Cahill was torched for eight runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings as he fell to 4-3 lifetime versus the Giants following a 10-5 setback on June 8.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona shipped struggling OF Jason Kubel to Cleveland prior to Friday's game. Kubel was batting .220 as he dealt with numerous leg injuries.
2. San Francisco OF Hunter Pence had one of his team's three hits on Friday to extend his hitting streak to seven games. He is 1-for-5 versus Cahill in his career.
3. Diamondbacks 3B Martin Prado has hit safely in six straight and 15-of-16 contests.
PREDICTION: Giants 3, Diamondbacks 2