Padres right-handed pitcher Tyson Ross has made four starts this season. His first two were not very good.
Ross went 10.1 innings, allowing five earned runs, striking out nine, walking nine, and taking the loss in both games.
His last two starts were extremely good.
Ross has gone 15 innings, allowing one earned run, striking out 16, walking two, and getting the win in both games.
Friday night at Petco Park, Ross did everything he had to do to help a lifeless offense get a 2-1 win over the Giants.
"I thought his stuff was outstanding," said Padres manager Bud Black. "Really good movement on the fastball, made some pitches with the slider, mixed in some change ups, and overall was in a pitching duel with one of the proven National League pitchers in Matt Cain, and matched him."
Cain only gave up one unearned run, which came in the first inning when Chris Denorfia scored on a Hector Sanchez passed ball.
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The Padres only other run came in the bottom of the 8th inning, when Black sent Yasmani Grandal up to pinch-hit for Ross. Grandal promptly smashed his first home run of the year to right field off Giants reliever Juan Gutierrez.
It turned out to be the game-winning hit. Huston Street gave up a solo home run to Brandon Belt in the 9th inning before striking out Sanchez to notch his 6th save of the season.
The Padres secure a non-losing record on their 10-game homestand with two to play. On Saturday they send Eric Stults to the mound against San Francisco starter Tim Hudson.
