New York @ San Francisco preview
Oracle Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2012 ) NY Mets 8, San Francisco 7
Promising prospect Matt Harvey was as good as advertised during his major-league debut. On Tuesday, the Connecticut native will look to ride that momentum as the visiting New York Mets take on struggling Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants. Scott Hairston belted his second homer of the game to lead off the top of the 10th inning as New York recorded an 8-6 triumph in Monday's series opener.
The victory was the Mets' second in a row after dropping 14 of their previous 16 games. After a solid start to the season, New York noted that it likely will stand pat prior to Tuesday's trade deadline. The season-high fifth straight loss kept San Francisco tied atop the National League West with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who dropped a 7-2 decision to Arizona on Monday.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSBA (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (4-11, 5.88)
Harvey scattered three hits and struck out 11 in 5 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up the victory against Arizona on Thursday. The 23-year-old admitted to having butterflies prior to the performance - and even acknowledged that he'll likely have more prior to his second start.
Lincecum has enjoyed success versus the Mets this season, although he has struggled versus seemingly everyone else. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner yielded five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings in a 6-3 loss to San Diego on Wednesday. Lincecum improved to 4-1 versus New York after striking out eight in five innings in a 6-1 win on April 23.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York OF Jason Bay snapped an 0-for-23 drought at the plate with a single in the sixth inning. Bay is just 2-for-10 with five strikeouts in his career versus Lincecum.
2. San Francisco's Marco Scutaro was placed atop the order on Monday - a position he held in 36 games for the Colorado Rockies this season. Playing in his third game with his new team, Scutaro went 2-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and run scored.
3. Hairston has three multi-hit games in his last four contests, but is just 1-for-10 with five strikeouts versus Lincecum.