San Francisco @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 17, 2012 ) San Francisco 9, Atlanta 0

Playing better away from McCovey Cove is critical to the San Francisco Giants’ hopes of winning the National League West. After going 1-5 on its most recent road trip, San Francisco opened a six-game East Coast swing with a convincing 9-0 victory at Atlanta. San Francisco improved to 21-24 on the road, but remains the only division leader with a sub-.500 road mark. The Braves saw their seven-game winning streak end as Jair Jurrjens did not survive the fourth inning, again raising concerns about Atlanta’s starting rotation.

Third-year left-hander Mike Minor looks to build on his best stretch since the start of the season in the middle game of the series. Other than struggling star Tim Lincecum, there are no questions about San Francisco’s rotation. Right-hander Ryan Vogelsong takes the mound looking for his eighth win, which would give the Giants four starters with eight or more victories. San Francisco has allowed just five runs during its four-game winning streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), SportSouth (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (7-4, 2.36 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (5-6, 5.97).

Vogelsong has won just once in his past four starts, losing to the Pirates on July 7 in his final outing of the first half of the season. The right-hander gave up just three earned runs on eight hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out five. Right-handers are hitting just .217 against Vogelsong.

Minor has pitched better of late, winning his final two starts of the first half. Minor beat the Nationals on June 30, then allowed just three hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings to defeat the Cubs on July 5. He only gave up one home run in those two starts combined, after giving up 18 homers in his first 14 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta reliever Jonny Venters threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Out with a left elbow impingement, Venters likely will head to Triple-A Gwinnett this weekend and is expected to rejoin the Braves next week.

2. San Francisco finished 7-for-14 Tuesday with runners in scoring position. The Giants came into Tuesday 29th in the league in batting average with runners in scoring position (.225).

3. The middle innings have been troublesome for Minor all season. Opponents are hitting .333 against the left-hander in the fourth inning, .338 in the fifth and .300 in the sixth.