San Diego @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2012 ) San Diego 2, San Francisco 3

Tim Lincecum has shown signs of getting his pitching act in order and seeks his third consecutive strong outing on Wednesday when the San Francisco Giants attempt to complete a three-game series sweep against the visiting San Diego Padres. Lincecum has allowed just two runs and struck out 17 in 15 innings over his last two outings as he tries to reverse a season full of struggles. The Giants have won nine of 11 games.

San Francisco’s hot streak has elevated the Giants to a season-high 13 games over .500 as well as a 2 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. San Francisco won Tuesday’s game in the bottom of the ninth on a single by Brandon Crawford. San Diego has lost two straight after a stretch in which it won seven of nine games. The Padres have lost 17 of their last 22 contests with the Giants.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jason Marquis (3-5, 3.79 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (4-10, 5.72)

Marquis is seeking his third consecutive victory. He defeated the Colorado Rockies in his last outing when he gave up three earned runs in five innings. Marquis lost to the Giants on June 7 in his first start after joining the Padres, allowing four runs (two earned) and nine hits in six innings. He is 5-5 with a 3.07 ERA in 14 career appearances (13 starts) against San Francisco.

Lincecum beat the Philadelphia Phillies in his last outing when he gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings. He struck out a season-best 11 while tossing eight scoreless innings against the Houston Astros in his previous outing. Lincecum is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts against the Padres this season. He is 10-4 with a 2.03 ERA in 20 career outings against San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants 3B/1B Pablo Sandoval could be unavailable after injuring a hamstring Tuesday. He is batting .353 with two homers in 17 career at-bats against Marquis.

2. Concern about Padres INF-OF Alexi Amarista has lessened now that it has been determined he won’t need a stint on the disabled list after injuring a thumb sliding head first in Monday’s game.

3. San Francisco C Buster Posey was hitless in four at-bats Tuesday after going 18-for-33 over his previous eight contests.