Arizona @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2012 ) Arizona 8, San Francisco 9

It is beginning to feel a lot like 2010 for the San Francisco Giants, who stand 4 1/2 games ahead of second-place Los Angeles in the National League West. The Giants won the 2010 World Series after a season filled with dramatic finishes, and they opened their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday with a thrilling 9-8 win in 10 innings. San Francisco has won 13 of its last 17 games to move a season-high 19 games over .500. Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz has blown two straight saves after converting 19 consecutive opportunities. He’ll likely be rested Tuesday after appearing in four of Arizona’s last five games.

While the Giants rallied to win the series opener, their middle relievers struggled again. Late-inning relievers such as Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez have been sharp, but Brad Penny, Guillermo Mota and George Kontos have each struggled in recent weeks. The trio combined to give up three runs on five hits in two innings Tuesday in relief of Barry Zito, who has failed to protect an early lead in two straight starts. The Diamondbacks are 10 1/2 behind the Giants and looking toward next season, but they had to be encouraged by Monday’s offensive production. Arizona had 14 hits and scored more than four runs in a game for the first time since Aug. 21.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, CS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (12-11, 4.27 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (12-7, 3.02)

Kennedy rebounded from a poor start against San Diego with a strong outing against the Dodgers on Thursday, when he pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings. He is 6-2 with a 2.01 ERA in career starts against the Giants, including a 2-0 record with a 2.51 ERA in two starts this season. In six road games against San Francisco, Kennedy is 3-1 with 1.94 ERA.

Vogelsong went 4-2 with a 6.32 ERA in six August starts and gave up four runs over six innings Thursday against the Astros. He’s gone 2-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 11 career games covering 46 innings against the Diamondbacks, and gave up one run over seven frames against Arizona on May 29.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants SS Brandon Crawford broke out of a 5-for-29 slump with three hits Tuesday.

2. Diamondbacks CF Chris Young left Monday’s game in the eighth inning with a right quad injury after running to first base and is listed as day-to-day.

3. Arizona RHP David Hernandez streak of 12 straight scoreless games ended Tuesday when he gave up two runs in the eighth.