Cain, Giants Look To End Slump

(AP) -- Matt Cain's return to the San Francisco Giants did not go as hoped for the veteran right-hander, but a long-awaited appearance at home could set him on the right track.

Taking the mound Tuesday night at AT&T Park for the first time in nearly a year, Cain will face the New York Mets looking to help end San Francisco's long losing streak.

Cain allowed five runs over five innings in a 5-4 loss at Miami on Thursday in his first start since undergoing right elbow surgery on July 21. He surrendered two homers, had two strikeouts and lasted 89 pitches.

"I think he should be encouraged," manager Bruce Bochy told MLB's official website. "His first four innings, I thought he was pretty good. He's going to get better, building up his strength and stamina. He looks healthy, I'll say that."

The three-time All-Star last pitched in San Francisco (42-42) on July 9 when he beat Oakland. He's 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA in his last eight starts against the Mets (43-41).

San Francisco's losing streak reached seven with Monday's 3-0 loss to New York. Chris Heston allowed three hits in 7 1-3 scoreless innings but Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla combined to yield all three runs in the ninth inning.

The loss dropped the Giants to .500 for the first time since they were 18-18 on May 15, and another defeat would match their season-worst eight-game skid April 10-17.

With their slumping offense seemingly on the upswing, the Mets have a chance to win their second straight series against the NL West after taking two of three from the Dodgers over the weekend.

"We don't play well on the West Coast, so to get off to a great start on this road trip is huge for us," manager Terry Collins said. "It looks like we're starting to get some breaks."

Collins' team has batted .266 and scored 16 runs in the last four games after hitting .173 and totaling 17 runs in the previous 10 contests.

Wilmer Flores is 12 for 20 with five RBIs in his last five games.

New York's rotation has also been very good lately, posting a 1.34 ERA since June 25. Bartolo Colon (9-6, 4.55 ERA) contributed to that with seven scoreless innings in a 2-0, 11-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

The right-hander compiled an 8.71 ERA in his two previous starts.

Colon is 2-0 with a 2.70 in three career starts in San Francisco, but was roughed up for six runs over 4 2-3 innings in a 9-0 loss Aug. 3 at Citi Field in his most recent matchup with the Giants.

San Francisco' Joe Panik, who was named to his first All-Star team Monday, did not play in the series opener, but is 9 for 18 with four runs in his last four meetings with the Mets.

Jenrry Mejia expects to return to the Mets' bullpen on Tuesday. The right-hander was New York's projected closer entering the season, but was given an 80-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Updated July 7, 2015