New York @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2015 ) NY Mets 3, San Francisco 0

Matt Cain, who was known as San Francisco’s stopper before Madison Bumgarner arrived, looks to put an end to the Giants’ seven-game losing streak Tuesday when he takes the mound against the visiting New York Mets. The Giants fell to .500 for the first time since May 13 in Monday’s series opener, when the Mets recorded their second straight shutout with a 3-0 victory.

The Giants have scored a total of five runs in their last four games, but their offense could receive a boost later this week with the possible return of right fielder Hunter Pence, who has missed the last 30 games with left wrist tendinitis. “He’s really close,” manager Bruce Bochy told CSN Bay Area. “If he gets cleared, my guess is he could be ready before the (All-Star) break.” New York’s Lucas Duda isn’t injured, but the first baseman might benefit from next week’s break after going 9-for-66 over the last 18 games. Fortunately for the Mets, their pitching has overcome the team’s offensive woes by recording a 1.35 ERA over the last 107 innings.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (9-6, 4.55 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (0-1, 9.00)

After posting a 5.40 ERA in four June starts, Colon opened July by tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out eight last Wednesday against the Cubs. The 42-year-old received a no-decision for the first time in 28 outings, dating back to July 23, 2014. Colon is 2-2 with a 5.46 ERA in five career starts against the Giants.

Cain came off the disabled list last Thursday and yielded five runs over five innings in his season debut against Miami. “It was probably one of the better days I've had feeling-wise, which is really a big positive,” Cain told reporters. “It’s just now ironing it out and making good pitches.” The three-time All-Star is 5-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 13 career starts against the Mets, including 0-2 with a 3.10 ERA in his last four outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants INF Matt Duffy is 4-for-25 over his last seven games.

2. The Mets optioned OF Darrell Ceciliani to Triple-A Las Vegas and recalled OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis.

3. San Francisco has lost 12 of its last 13 games decided by two runs or fewer.

PREDICTION: Mets 7, Giants 5