Cleveland @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2011 ) Cleveland 0, San Francisco 1

THE STORY: Madison Bumgarner’s historically bad start earlier this week contributed to the San Francisco Giants’ season-high fifth straight loss. It is hard to ignore the symmetry heading into his next start. Five days after imploding against Minnesota, Bumgarner has a chance to redeem himself and lead the host Giants to a fifth straight victory Sunday against the mistake-prone Cleveland Indians. Bumgarner faces Fausto Carmona, who is looking to avoid becoming the majors’ first 10-game loser.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (3-9, 4.06 ERA) vs. Indians RH Fausto Carmona (4-9, 5.98). Bumgarner recorded only one out while being ripped for eight runs and nine hits in the first inning of a 9-2 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday. The horrendous outing caused his ERA to spike from 3.21 to 4.06. “It was pretty pathetic,” he said. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time since 1900 that a pitcher allowed nine or more hits and recorded one out or less. The 21-year-old has never faced the Indians. Unlike Bumgarner, Carmona has been horrible all season. The sinkerballer was rocked for seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings of an 8-7 loss to Colorado on Monday. He is 1-6 with a 9.73 ERA in his last seven starts. This will be his first start against the Giants.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (43-34): San Francisco has won four straight for the first time since a five-game run from May 18-22. And it seems they are doing it with smoke and mirrors. Saturday’s 1-0 victory was the Giants’ major league-leading 17th one-run win at home. San Francisco has the most one-run wins in baseball (22). Unfortunately for the Giants, the worst offense in the majors (262 runs) has forced them to play in so many close games. Aubrey Huff, the Giants’ hottest hitter this month (.305), is homerless in 73 at-bats since a three-home run game against St. Louis on June 2. The Giants placed lefthander Jonathan Sanchez on the 15-day disabled list prior to Saturday's game with left bicep tendinitis and activated fellow southpaw Barry Zito, who had been sidelined since April 17 with a sprained right foot.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (40-35): Cleveland has lost 20 of the last 30 games after a 30-15 start. Saturday’s 1-0 loss marked the ninth time the Indians have been shut out this season - the second highest total in the American League. The Indians are 6-23 in National League parks since 2008. A big reason for their struggles is they are forced to play without designated hitter Travis Hafner. Cleveland has also committed four errors in the first two games of this series. Reliever Tony Sipp's bases-loaded balk was the difference Saturday. Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is expected to miss at least six weeks with a fractured left thumb. He suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch from Sanchez on Friday. Choo, who will be examined by hand specialist Dr. Tom Graham on Monday, is likely to require surgery.

FINAL PITCH: Bumgarner is seeking his first home win of the year - he is 0-5 with a 5.82 ERA in seven outings at AT&T Park.