SAN FRANCISCO -- It was only one defeat, and a respectable one at that. But the Giants' 4-3 loss Saturday night to the Athletics was the kind of setback that will tax their pitching staff, and thus spoil their season, if they repeat it too often.
Starter Jeff Samardzija must prove capable of lasting longer into ballgames. He worked four innings against the A's, one inning short of his workload from his previous outing July 7 against St. Louis.
Derek Holland again provided stellar relief, striking out five in two shutout innings.