This story was originally published by Dead Spin
One day after struggling against a recently promoted minor-leaguer, the San Francisco Giants will dip into their farm system for a starting pitcher as they seek a second straight victory over the visiting Miami Marlins on Saturday night.
Running out of time in their uphill climb in the National League wild-card race, the Giants opened a six-game homestand with a 3-1 win Friday night. Matt Chapman’s three-run double with two outs in the eighth inning was the difference-maker.
The hit came after the Marlins pulled Adam Oller, who had shut out the hosts on two hits over six innings in just his third big-league start of the season.
Giants rookie right-hander Mason Black (0-1, 8.79), who is slated to start on Saturday, has slightly more experience under the bright lights this season. He has thrown 14 1/3 innings over four games, including three starts.
Black last was seen at the big-league level on May 23, when he served up four runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2 2/3 innings. He then was demoted to Triple-A Sacramento, where he’s gone 5-6 with a 4.59 ERA in 20 starts.
Black has never faced the Marlins, who were four outs away from handing the Giants a crippling defeat before Chapman’s big hit.
Giants manager Bob Melvin hopes the momentum carries over.
“Thank God. The way it’s gone offensively, we needed a spark like that,” Melvin said of his reaction to Chapman’s liner. “Hopefully a hit like that can jump-start us.”
If it does, it’ll have to happen against Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (2-6, 5.60), who has allowed 12 runs in 15 1/3 innings while losing his past three starts.
The 26-year-old recorded a season-best 10 strikeouts in a 4-3 home loss to the Giants in his first start of the season in April. He didn’t get a decision in a game in which he allowed just one run in six innings.
Cabrera has faced the Giants just twice in his four-year, big-league career, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA. He has never pitched at Oracle Park.
One Miami player who figures to be supporting Cabrera that wasn’t around for the April meeting is outfielder Kyle Stowers, who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline.
The left-handed hitter didn’t start the series opener against the left-handed Blake Snell, but figures to get the call against the righty Black.
Stowers had one of the best games of his three-year, major-league career Thursday in Colorado. He had a double, two singles and drove in four runs.
He’s gotten a total of nine hits in his past five games, after beginning his Miami career in an 8-for-63 slump (.127).
“It’s a challenge any time when you’re a hitter and you’re not getting hits,” he said. “That being said, I try to pride myself in those moments when things aren’t going well that I’m the same guy and same work ethic. It’s a cheesy saying but, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ Sometimes putting your back against the wall, the only way to go is forward.”
–Field Level Media
