Houston @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2011 ) Houston 3, San Francisco 1

THE STORY: The San Francisco Giants' offensive woes continued Thursday when they managed just one run in a loss to the visiting Houston Astros and Henry Sosa, who was pitching on three days rest. The Giants, who are three games behind Arizona in the National League West, have lost 18 of its last 26 games heading into Friday's game at AT&T Park.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS Houston, CSNBA

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH J.A. Happ (4-14, 6.26 ERA) at Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (7-12, 3.68 ERA)

Happ is making his first start for the Astros since being sent optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City three weeks ago. Happ went 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts at Oklahoma City, and he allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings last Sunday against Iowa. Bumgarner gave up seven runs – six earned – on a career-high 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings against Houston last Saturday. The Giants are 5-1 in Bumgarner’s last six home starts.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (43-88): It’s a small sample size, but so far Jordan Schafer is demonstrating why Houston acquired him in the Michael Bourn trade. Schafer homered and scored three runs from the leadoff spot in Thursday’s win, and he’s 6-for-17 (.352) with two steals and four runs scored in his first four games with the Astros. Another part of the Bourn trade was reliever Juan Abreu, who was recalled from Oklahoma City on Thursday. Abreu has a 2.18 ERA in 57 2/3 innings with 34 walks and 77 strikeouts this season in the minors. Also in the bullpen, it looks like Wilton Lopez has regained manager Brad Mills’ trust. Lopez struggled coming out of the All-Star break, but he’s given up just one run in his last five outings spanning 5 2/3 innings. In Wednesday’s game, Lopez was back in his familiar setup role, pitching two scoreless innings before closer Mark Melancon worked the ninth inning for his 14th save.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (69-62): With both Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez on the disabled list, San Francisco will need a spot starter for Saturday’s game. The team may start relievers Dan Runzler or Guillermo Mota and utilize a full bullpen, or they could promote Eric Surkamp from Double-A Richmond, where he’s 10-4 with a 2.02 ERA. Manager Bruce Bochy said Zito (foot) and Sanchez (ankle) are not close to returning. Catcher Eli Whiteside (concussion) came off the seven-day disabled list Thursday, and he’ll continue to share time with Chris Stewart. Catcher Hector Sanchez was optioned to Single-A San Jose, but he’ll likely rejoin the Giants when rosters expand in September. Pat Burrell (foot) began his rehab assignment with High-A San Jose on Wednesday, but there’s no guarantee he’ll rejoin the Giants in September. Burrell is recovering from a bone spur in his right foot, and he said there’s a chance he’ll retire if he’s unable to play through the pain. Even if Burrell returns to the Giants, he’ll likely be a reserve player down the stretch.

FINAL PITCH: The Giants lost their 11th consecutive series opener on Thursday.