SAN FRANCISCO -- Last year, Jack Taschner wanted to make 60 appearances. It was the left-hander's first full Major League season, and he figured a nice, round number like that would reflect consistency and durability.

Despite being sidelined for 12 days in September with a strained shoulder, Taschner pitched in 63 games. Now in his second full season, Taschner has his sights set higher.

"This year my goal was -- and still is -- to be the guy who comes in from the bullpen to solidify games," Taschner said. "The more I get in, the better, because that means we're winning."

The Giants have lost more often than they've won, but that hasn't stopped manager Bruce Bochy from calling on Taschner, 30. Having made a team-high 59 appearances entering Wednesday's series finale against the Colorado Rockies, he's virtually certain to pass last year's personal standard.

Taschner endured a rough night in Tuesday's defeat, being charged with two runs in one-third of an inning. Nevertheless, he has limited left-handed batters to a .244 average (21-for-86). He also has thrived against San Francisco's most intense foes, compiling a 1-0 record with a 2.45 ERA and a .218 opponents' batting average in 21 outings against National League West clubs.

Pitching matchup
SF: RHP Tim Lincecum (14-3, 2.48 ERA)
Lincecum's coming off an outstanding start in what is becoming an increasingly outstanding season. He lasted eight innings against San Diego last Friday, allowing four hits in a 5-0 Giants victory. Lincecum became the first Major Leaguer to reach 200 strikeouts and the first Giant to amass that many K's in a season since Jason Schmidt had 251 in 2004. Lincecum's 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts this year against Colorado.

COL: RHP Livan Hernandez (11-10, 6.28 ERA)
Hernandez again struggled with his command in his last outing against the Reds. He kept balls up and Cincinnati tagged him for six runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. Hernandez has given up at least six runs in all three starts with the Rockies, and he hasn't made it past the sixth inning in any of them.

Tidbits
Entering Tuesday, the Giants had recorded a 3.99 ERA in August. All four of their previous monthly ERAs were 4.11 or higher. ... Through Tuesday, San Francisco has stranded 72.7 percent (178 of 245) of its inherited baserunners, ranking fourth in the NL. ... Second baseman Emmanuel Burriss' career-best six-game hitting streak ended Tuesday. ... Despite playing in only 30 games, shortstop Ivan Ochoa already has vaulted into the team lead with seven sacrifice bunts. ... Hernandez, the ex-Giant, is 26-22 with a 3.93 ERA in 57 games at AT&T Park.

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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
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•  Official game notes

On television
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On radio
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Up next
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Giants (Barry Zito, 8-15, 5.31) at Reds (Edinson Volquez, 15-5, 2.80), 4:10 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Giants (Kevin Correia, 3-7, 5.11) at Reds (TBD), 4:10 p.m. PT