San Francisco @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2011 ) San Francisco 7, San Diego 2

THE STORY: Their fans may have given up hope, but the San Francisco Giants aren't about to concede. The Giants are seven games behind Arizona in the National League West with 21 to play heading into Tuesday’s road game against the San Diego Padres, who have lost nine of their last 10 games. The Padres are 19-35 within their division.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSNBA, Channel 4SD

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Eric Surkamp (0-0, 1.50 ERA) at Padres LH Wade LeBlanc (2-4, 5.14 ERA).

Surkamp will be making his second major league start after giving up one run on six hits over six innings against the Houston Astros last Friday. He was the Giants’ sixth-round pick in 2008 and went 10-4 with a 2.02 ERA in 23 starts for Double-A Richmond. LeBlanc, who has given up four runs in each of his last two starts, is 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA in four career starts against the Giants. He is 6-7 lifetime at Petco Park with a 2.91 ERA in 21 games (20 starts), and the Padres are 1-8 in LeBlanc’s last nine starts against a team with a winning record.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (74-67): It’s been a forgettable season for Cody Ross, but he’s been red-hot over his last four games (7-for-16 with two home runs and five RBIs). Carlos Beltran sat out Monday’s game with food poisoning, but he’s expected to be in the starting lineup Tuesday. Outfielder Nate Schierholtz (foot) is also due back Tuesday, but he’ll likely serve as a pinch hitter for a few days. Jonathan Sanchez (ankle) is slowly recovering with an eye toward joining the Giants’ bullpen late this month. Closer Brian Wilson (elbow) threw 15 pitches in a bullpen session Monday, but the team could shut him down for the year if the Giants don't gain some ground on Arizona this week. Madison Bumgarner, who allowed two runs in 8 1/3 innings and struck out a career-high 13 on Monday, improved to 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA in his last seven starts.

ABOUT THE PADRES (61-80): Center fielder Cameron Maybin (wrist) returned to the Padres’ starting lineup Monday for the first time since Aug. 26 and went 1-for-3 with three strikeouts. He still leads the team with career highs in runs (71) and steals (33). Chris Denorfia (hamstring) also rejoined the Padres on Monday, making for a crowded outfield. Denorfia, who was out since July 31, will share playing time down the stretch with Aaron Cunningham, Kyle Blanks, Jesus Guzman, Jeremy Hermida and James Darnell. Guzman has been starting at first base for most of the second half, but he figures to get more starts in left field with the promotion of top prospect Anthony Rizzo. Guzman’s defense is a major question, so it’s unclear where he would play next season. He would probably benefit from a move to the American League, where he could serve as a designated hitter.

FINAL PITCH: The Padres are 29-21 in day games this season and 32-59 in night games.