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The
San Francisco Giants
were one inning away from moving into a first-place tie in the NL West Friday night. The
San Diego Padres
, though, were not ready to share the top spot just yet.
After rallying to victory in the series opener, the Padres look to increase their division lead when they meet the Giants
in a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.
The twinbill came about because of the first rainout in the three-year history of Petco Park on April 4.
San Francisco led 5-4 going into the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday, before
Khalil Greene
's two-run single lifted the Padres.
''He saved us,'' Padres manager
Bruce Bochy
said of Greene. ''He didn't get the win, but he helped us win. He's not hitting what he wants to hit, but he clutched up tonight.''
Barry Bonds
went 0-for-4 as the Giants' three-game winning streak ended. After homering in consecutive games June 14-16, the seven-time
NL MVP has just one home run in 11 games since.
Matt Cain
(6-6, 5.20 ERA) will try to get back in the win column when he starts the opener for the Giants. Coming into his last start
on Sunday against Oakland, Cain was 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA in seven appearances, including six starts.
The right-hander had his worst outing in more than six weeks after being charged with six runs, five hits and a career high-tying
six walks over 4 1-3 innings of a 10-4 loss to the A's.
''I was just missing,'' Cain said. ''I got myself in trouble and they capitalized. That's what six walks will do. I was frustrated
with myself for not being in the zone more.''
Cain, who is 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA in his last three road outings, has made one career start against San Diego. He walked six
over three innings, but didn't get a decision in the Giants' 5-4 loss in 10 innings on Sept. 14.
He will be opposed by another pitcher with recent control problems in San Diego rookie right-hander
Mike Thompson
(3-2, 4.30). Thompson walked a career-high four over seven innings Sunday, but did not get a decision in a 9-4 loss to Seattle.
His throwing error on a potential inning-ending double play in fourth inning led to two unearned runs for the Mariners.
''I was so mad after that,'' Thompson said. ''I had to go down into the clubhouse to calm myself down, to breathe. We could
have had a double play there, I think, and been out of the inning.''
This is his first career appearance against the Giants.
Brad Hennessey
(3-1, 2.59) will make his first start since May 15 when he goes in the nightcap for San Francisco. The right-hander gave up
a run and seven hits over five innings in 10-1 over Houston in his last start.
He's recorded a 2.08 ERA in eight relief appearances since. He gave up two runs and four hits over 2 2-3 innings Sunday in
relief of Cain.
Hennessey is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in two career starts against San Diego.
After being shelled in his final injury rehab start,
Woody Williams
(3-1, 3.27) returns to the Padres' rotation to start the second game. In a 68-pitch outing Monday with Triple-A Portland,
the right-hander allowed six runs and eight hits and two walks in 2 2-3 innings.
He has not played with San Diego since injuring his calf while running the bases in the second inning of the Padres' 10-5
win on May 12. He was placed on the DL the next day.
In two appearances including a start against San Francisco this season, Williams has given up two runs and five hits over
6 2-3 innings. He is 7-5 with a 4.40 ERA in his career versus the Giants.
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