San Francisco @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2012 ) San Francisco 5, Oakland 4

The Giants broke a six-game road losing streak in dramatic fashion against Oakland on Friday to move three games behind first-place Los Angeles in the NL West. Athletics closer Ryan Cook had allowed just two runs in 31 2/3 innings this season, but he gave up four runs in the ninth on Friday as the Giants won the series opener 5-4. Cook’s unexpected meltdown put a sudden stop to Oakland’s recent surge toward .500, but the Athletics have still won eight of their last 10.

Oakland’s starting pitchers have allowed one run or fewer in each of the last five games, and they’ll need another solid outing from Tyson Ross to keep pace with Giants’ starter Madison Bumgarner. San Francisco continues to be encouraged by the play of 1B Brandon Belt, who has hit safely in a career-best 10 games, batting .419 (13-for-31) with three doubles, three homers and nine RBIs during his streak. With Aubrey Huff (knee) on the disabled list and Brett Pill in Triple-A Fresno, Belt is finally making a case to be the everyday starter.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (8-4, 2.92 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Tyson Ross (2-6, 6.11)

Ross was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start in place of Bartolo Colon (oblique). Ross, who has shuttled between Oakland and Sacramento several times already this season, made a spot start last Saturday against San Diego, giving up two runs on one hit in six innings.

Bumgarner has allowed two earned runs and struck out 16 in his last two outings covering 15 2/3 innings. He’s now 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA in June, and he’s coming off a dominant performance in Seattle last Sunday when he gave up one run in eight innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants CF Angel Pagan was scratched from Friday’s starting lineup with an abdominal muscle strain, but he could be available Saturday.

2. Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Friday that Colon (oblique) could return before the All-Star break.

3. Giants RHP Tim Lincecum has gone 10 consecutive starts without a victory, his longest winless streak of his career.