San Francisco @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2012 ) San Francisco 6, Philadelphia 5
The San Francisco Giants have started the second half of the season with a flourish. Winners of seven of their last eight games, the National League West-leading Giants will vie for a sweep of the host Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. A pair of familiar faces will square off as San Francisco left-hander Barry Zito will test his mettle against former Oakland Athletics teammate Joe Blanton.
Although his team is struggling, Ryan Howard is doing his part after belting homers in back-to-back games and three of his last five. The slugger's three-run shot gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead, but Melky Cabrera answered with a solo homer in the eighth before scoring on Gregor Blanco's bunt single in the 10th inning in the Giants' 6-5 win. Philadelphia hasn't enjoyed home cookin' this season after dropping seven straight at Citizens Bank Park.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, CSBA (San Francisco), WB17 (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Barry Zito (8-6, 3.75 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Joe Blanton (8-8, 4.79)
Zito won his second straight after scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings in Tuesday's 9-0 triumph over Atlanta. The 34-year-old has split six career decisions versus the Phillies, but has yet to face them this season. Zito fell short in his last two trips to Citizens Bank Park, however.
Blanton permitted four runs on 11 hits in five innings in a loss to San Francisco on April 17. The right-hander fell to 2-4 with a 1.53 WHIP in his career versus the Giants. Blanton evened his 2012 record after allowing just two runs over eight innings in a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco's Buster Posey is tearing up Philadelphia this season. After tying a career high with four hits on Saturday, Posey is batting .550 (11-for-20) against the Phillies in 2012.
2. With a loss on Sunday, Philadelphia will suffer its sixth sweep of the season.
3. Giants 1B Aubrey Huff's MRI revealed patella tendinitis in his right knee. He will be re-evaluated on Monday.