Florida @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2010 ) Florida 9, San Francisco 10

Fans attending Thursday's game between the Florida Marlins and San Francisco Giants can only hope it winds up being as enjoyable and drama-filled as the previous three contests.

The two teams located on opposite coasts close a compelling four-game series in San Francisco on Thursday afternoon after playing highly competitive see-saw games the previous three days.

Both teams entered the series on hot streaks and full of confidence, which has been apparent during each of the first three games.

The Giants won two of the three, including a 10-9, 10-inning game on Wednesday in which the Marlins rallied from a seven-run deficit and forced extra innings on Dan Uggla’s ninth-inning double. Andres Torres delivered the game-winning single in the 10th for San Francisco.

San Francisco also emerged victorious on Tuesday with Juan Uribe and Edgar Renteria hitting eighth-inning homers during a 6-4 victory. The big story that night was that the Giants scored three runs off Marlins ace Josh Johnson, who had gone 13 consecutive starts of allowing two runs or fewer.

Florida won 4-3 Monday with the outcome in doubt right to the end as San Francisco had the tying run on third in the ninth.

In Thursday’s finale, San Francisco will be vying for its 19th win in 24 games and perhaps hoping to silence Uggla, the Marlins’ red hot second baseman.

Uggla has four homers in the series and has six over the last six games. Wednesday’s homer was the 143rd of his career, tying Mike Lowell’s franchise record.

Uggla had three RBIs on Wednesday and has 11 over the past six games. He’s batting .423 (11-for-26) during that span.

Florida is 8-5 since the All-Star break despite the back-to-back losses.

The Marlins look for the split Thursday behind Anibal Sanchez (7-6, 3.59 ERA). The right-hander hasn’t won since June 22, going 0-2 with three no-decisions over his last five starts.

Sanchez pitched well against the Atlanta Braves in his last start, giving up two runs and five hits in six innings.

Rookie left-hander Madison Bumgarner starts for the Giants, having won four consecutive starts. Bumgarner (4-2, 2.43 ERA) has allowed just four earned runs in 26 2/3 innings during his winning streak.

The 20-year-old gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings against Arizona in his last outing.

Giants catcher Buster Posey extended his hitting streak to 21 games and will be seeking to tie Willie McCovey’s team rookie record on Thursday.

Outfielder Andres Torres is 7-for-10 with four runs scored and three RBIs over the last two games. Torres hit his 10th homer on Wednesday in addition to delivering the game-ending hit.

San Francisco infielder Juan Uribe had four RBIs on Wednesday to raise his season total to 60. His career high is 74 in 2004 with the Chicago White Sox.

Giants closer Brian Wilson was fined $1,000 Wednesday for wearing orange cleats during Tuesday’s game, then suffered his third blown save of the season. Wilson is 30-for-33 in save opportunities.