Runs at a premium when Giants, Marlins square off

The San Francisco Giants will be looking to shake a clutch-hitting slump against a pitcher who has been tough so far this season when they go for a series win over the host Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon.

A total of just three runs have been scored in the first two games of the set, with the Marlins rebounding from a 2-0 defeat on Friday with a 1-0 victory in the rematch on Saturday.

Miami has mustered up a total of just six hits — two by Jesus Sanchez in off-the-bench roles. The Marlins, however, have gotten timely pitching from six players in the first two games of the series and two lead-saving defensive gems on Saturday in limiting the Giants to just two runs despite 19 hits over two games.

San Francisco manager Bob Melvin walked away from Saturday’s defeat with a positive outlook despite his team having scored four or fewer runs for the 13th straight time.

“Just got to find a way out of it,” Melvin said. “With the quality at-bats (we had Saturday) and the amount of hits we got, you’d think we’d score a run or two. You’ve got to make your own luck.”

Defensive gems by Heriberto Hernandez in left field and Dane Myers in center kept the Giants scoreless on Saturday. Those allowed Edward Cabrera to get rewarded for an outstanding effort after Cal Quantrill didn’t get the same support in Friday’s series opener.

Left-hander Ryan Weathers (1-0, 1.15 ERA) will attempt to follow in the footsteps of his teammates when he makes just his fourth start of the season in the series finale. He began the year on the injured list with a strained flexor.

Weathers, 25, has allowed a total of just two earned runs and 10 hits over 15 2/3 innings in his first three starts.

He has faced the Giants four times in his career, just once as a starter, with a 2-0 record and 1.38 ERA in 13 innings.

One of the defensive gems completed by the Marlins on Saturday came when left fielder Hernandez, who was making just his second big-league start. He reached above the left-field fence to deny Tyler Fitzgerald of a two-run home run in the fourth inning.

The rookie earned the rare position-player distinction of having been a major league hero before recording his first big-league hit. The converted catcher has gone 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and a walk since his promotion on Friday.

Hernandez had to share the defensive spotlight with Myers, who crashed into the center field fence to deny Jung Hoo Lee of extra bases and the Giants of a potential tying run in the seventh.

Myers, who began the game in right field, and Hernandez, who hasn’t finished either of his first two starts, find themselves having to make the most of manager Clayton McCullough’s game of musical chairs as he searches for the right combination both offensively and defensively.

“A few years back, I’d probably be handling it a little different,” Myers said of his daily uncertainty. “Just trying to be ready to help the team win however I can.”

Whoever gets the call in the Miami outfield Sunday will have to deal with Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong (2-1, 2.48), who will be making his third consecutive start after beginning the season with 11 straight relief appearances.

Birdsong, 23, has gone 1-1 as a starter, shutting out the Kansas City Royals over five innings in a 3-2 home win on May 20 before allowing three runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 3-1 loss at Detroit in his most recent outing last Monday.

Birdsong has never faced the Marlins in his two-year, big-league career.

–Field Level Media