San Francisco @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2012 ) San Francisco 11, Colorado 6

The San Francisco Giants look to continue their offensive explosion when they go for a three-game sweep against the host Colorado Rockies on Sunday. The Giants have scored 27 runs in the first two games of the series after totaling 19 in losing seven of their previous eight games. San Francisco has taken advantage of the worst pitching staff in baseball to maintain its one-half game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. The Rockies have lost seven of their first eight on their nine-game homestand and have been outscored 68-39 during that span. Their 21-36 record at Coors Field is the worst home winning percentage (.368) in the majors.

The Giants’ Tim Lincecum, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, is enduring his worst season, but pitched well in three of his last four starts, lowering his ERA by eight-tenths of a run. He will likely oppose the Rockies’ Tyler Chatwood, who was expected to be recalled from Double-A Tulsa to make his first start of the season at the big-league level. Rookie left-hander Christian Friedrich was supposed to get the ball, but a stress fracture in his lower back was detected during an MRI on Friday after a bullpen session, and he will be shut down.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, CS Bay Area (San Francisco), Root Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (5-11, 5.62 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (1-1, 7.62)

Lincecum allowed one run, six hits and struck out seven in a 4-1 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday. His last game at Coors Field – a 17-8 loss on April 11 – was the shortest outing of his career as he allowed six runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. Lincecum is 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA at Coors Field and 8-6, 3.77 lifetime against the Rockies. Colorado’s roster is hitting .290 against him, with Carlos Gonzalez (11-for-33, two homers, three triples, seven RBIs) and Todd Helton (13-for-37, homer, four RBIs, eight walks) faring well.

Chatwood last pitched in the majors July 5, when he recorded 1 2/3 shutout innings in Colorado’s 6-2 loss at St. Louis. He was credited with a save against San Francisco in the 17-8 game when he allowed one run in three innings. In 13 minor league starts between Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs, Chatwood is 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA and allowed 69 hits in 61 1/3 innings. He was 6-11, 4.75 in 27 games (25 starts) with the Los Angeles Angels in his rookie season of 2011.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rockies on Saturday placed RF-1B Michael Cuddyer on 15-day disabled list with a sore right oblique. Cuddyer, who is second on the team with 56 RBIs, had missed the last four games.

2. San Francisco C Buster Posey is 34-for-75 (.453) with six homers and 25 RBIs since the All-Star break.

3. Colorado is 5-15 since the All-Star break.