Slumping squads square off as Giants face Reds

Two teams not at all happy with recent results hope to vent their frustration on the other when the visiting Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants open a three-game series on Friday. Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (1-4, 3.32 ERA) and Giants right-hander Logan Webb (3-3, 3.50) are the scheduled starters in the opener between a Cincinnati squad that has lost eight in a row and a San Francisco club coming off a 3-7 road trip. The Reds completed an 0-6 homestand with a 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. Cincinnati, which ranks last in the majors in team batting average (.211), is hoping a one-time Giant can rejuvenate its offense in his return to San Francisco.