Los Angeles @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 0, San Francisco 8

The San Francisco Giants have moved two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, marking the closest they’ve been to first place since April 7. The Dodgers have lost six of their last seven games, and it doesn’t appear they’ll be getting Matt Kemp back until shortly after the All-Star break. Manager Don Mattingly said Monday that Kemp will not play in the All-Star Game if he doesn’t play for the Dodgers first, and it’s unlikely that he’ll be ready for a rehab assignment in the next two weeks.

While the Dodgers move forward without their top hitter, San Francisco is thrilled to have Pablo Sandoval back in the lineup. Sandoval, who missed most of May after breaking his left hamate bone, has gone 17-for-54 (.315) with seven RBIs in 15 games since being activated from the disabled list on June 9. He had just one extra-base hit in 51 at-bats since coming off the disabled list before hitting two doubles in the Giants’ 8-0 win over the Dodgers in Monday’s series opener.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 2.73 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (6-3, 2.41 ERA)

Kershaw has just one win in his last six starts, but he was sharp in his last outing against the Athletics. He yielded one run in eight innings. Kershaw's 6-2 with a 1.34 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) against the Giants. Buster Posey is 3-for-21 (.143) with five strikeouts against Kershaw.

Vogelsong took his first loss since May 3 last Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels, giving up three runs over seven innings. He had gone 6-0 with a 1.76 ERA in eight outings since his last loss, and he’s been credited with a quality start in 12 of his 13 outings. Vogelsong faced Los Angeles on May 8 and allowed one run over 7 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. IF/OF Aubrey Huff will likely play in several minor league rehab games before rejoining the Giants. Huff has been on the disabled list since June 15 with a sprained right knee.

2. Dodgers SS Dee Gordon has had two hits and a stolen base in three straight games.

3. The Giants will need to make a decision soon on pitcher Brad Penny, who signed a minor league contract on May 18. Penny has a 7.11 ERA in six games for Triple-A Fresno.