VENUE: Chase Field
As recently as Aug. 28, the San Francisco Giants trailed by six games in the NL West. That deficit is now down to one and a series with the Arizona Diamondbacks could help the Giants climb to the top of their division before a pivotal showdown.
San Francisco will first try to take a share of that lead with its fifth consecutive road victory over the last-place Diamondbacks in Monday's opener of a three-game set.
The Giants (76-61) have the fifth-best record in the majors since July 4 at 35-21 but have benefited more of late from San Diego's stunning 10-game slide. In that time, San Francisco has sliced four games off the Padres' lead by winning five of seven, including Sunday's 3-0 victory at Los Angeles.
The Giants, who have a 2.21 ERA over the last six games, limited the Dodgers to three hits, and Juan Uribe homered for the second straight contest. His two-run shot in the ninth inning Saturday lifted San Francisco to a 5-4 win.
"This is big to come in here and take a series," manager Bruce Bochy said.
San Francisco hasn't seen first place since May 6 and has a chance to claim that spot for good with four games in San Diego beginning Thursday. First, though, the Giants will try to add to their recent success against the Diamondbacks (56-81).
San Francisco has won 21 of 30 meetings since the start of last season and 10 of 15 in Arizona. They hold an 8-4 edge in this season's series.
Arizona, however, took two of three from San Francisco on Aug. 27-29 as part of a 7-1 stretch but has dropped consecutive games heading into this series. The Diamondbacks went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Houston.
The Diamondbacks hope for better production Monday but that could be difficult if top power hitter Mark Reynolds and outfielder Justin Upton are out. Reynolds left in the ninth inning of Sunday's loss after aggravating a bone bruise in his right hand, and Upton has missed the past five games with an ailing left shoulder.
Should Reynolds and Upton miss the opener, Madison Bumgarner (5-4, 3.76 ERA) will try to take advantage by earning his second win in as many starts against Arizona. The left-hander allowed two runs over seven innings during a 10-4 victory at Chase Field on July 24 and is coming off one of his better outings this season.
After getting tagged for eight runs by Cincinnati on Aug. 25, he yielded one run and five hits over six innings Tuesday against Colorado but did not get a decision in a 5-2 win.
Ian Kennedy (9-9, 4.20) will try to outduel Bumgarner while extending his career-best win streak to four. The right-hander has a 2.77 ERA over his last four starts and gave up three runs over seven innings in Tuesday's 7-4 win over San Diego.
Kennedy is 1-1 with a 3.05 ERA in three starts this season against San Francisco and gave up four runs over 6 2-3 innings during the July 24 loss.
