Marlins-Giants Preview
(AP) -- Though the San Francisco Giants have played well at home during their current run of success, they've struggled there against the Miami Marlins of late.
As Matt Cain tries a seventh time for his first victory, the surging Giants look to reverse their home fortunes against the Marlins on Thursday night.
After totaling five hits in a 5-0 loss to Atlanta a night earlier, San Francisco (26-15) recorded 15 and rolled to 10-4 win Wednesday. Hunter Pence had four hits and three RBIs as the Giants won for the 15th time in 20 games.
"They didn't take an inning off," winning pitcher Madison Bumgarner told the Giants' official website. "That's awesome to see."
San Francisco has won 10 of 13 at AT&T Park, but faces a Miami club that's taken 10 of 11 there. The Giants have totaled 20 runs in those 11 contests, and last season scored eight while going 4 for 32 with runners in scoring position to lose three of four to the Marlins (21-20) at home.
Cain (0-3, 4.25 ERA) has gone 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA in six road starts against Miami, but 1-3 with a 3.35 ERA in seven at San Francisco versus the Marlins.
Off to the worst start of his 10-year career, Cain allowed two runs and walked four in five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, not getting a decision in a 6-2 road defeat. It was his first outing since missing two turns in the rotation because of a cut on his index finger.
Cain is set to make only his second home start this season. The right-hander allowed a run and four hits while striking out eight over seven innings of a 1-0 loss to visiting Colorado on April 12.
Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton is batting .294 (5 for 17) with three homers against Cain, and .421 during a 16-game hitting streak.
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Stanton had three of the Marlins' 17 hits Wednesday as they snapped a five-game slide with a 13-3 victory over the Dodgers. Anthony DeSclafani allowed two runs in six innings and had two RBIs in his major league debut for Miami.
A major-league worst 4-15 on the road, the Marlins totaled 14 runs in those five straight losses that followed a 3-1, 11-inning victory at San Diego to open this 11-game trip.
Miami's Nathan Eovaldi (2-1, 2.86) has gone 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA in his last five starts, but wasn't at his best his last time out Saturday. He gave up two runs in five innings, allowing seven hits and four walks in a 9-3 loss to the Padres.
"You don't want to throw 112 pitches in five innings," Eovaldi told the Marlins' official website. "Every at-bat was like a struggle."
Though the right-hander is 1-2 with a 12.21 ERA in three starts against the Giants, he allowed two runs in six innings to outpitch Cain in a 7-2 win at San Francisco on June 23.
Pence has batted .410 with eight RBIs in his last 10 home contests. He's 3 for 7 with two doubles and a home run against Eovaldi.
Teammate Pablo Sandoval is 5 for 5 with three doubles against Eovaldi, and expects to play after leaving Wednesday's contest with a sore toe.
"I think he'll be fine," manager Bruce Bochy told the Giants' official website.
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