Final
  for this game

Giants slip past D-Backs thanks to Ross

May 11, 2011 - 7:04 AM San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Cody Ross' ninth-inning single brought in the game's only run, as the Giants snuck by the Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series by the smallest of margins, 1-0.

The game was a pitching duel between the Giants' Tim Lincecum and Arizona's Ian Kennedy, though neither factored in the decision despite both tossing eight shutout innings.

Instead, Brian Wilson (3-1) survived a leadoff single in the top of the ninth to earn the win, and David Hernandez (2-1) got saddled with the loss, Arizona's third in four games.

Buster Posey threw out Justin Upton trying to steal second in top of the ninth, then led off the bottom half with a four-pitch walk. Darren Ford came in as a pinch-runner and promptly stole second without a throw.

Two batters later, Ross turned on Hernandez's 96 m.p.h. fastball and sent it down the left-field line, bringing in the speedy Ford to finish off the Giants' fourth consecutive win.

"Our pitchers keep us in the game, and we have confidence in each other that someone's going to come through [offensively]," Ross said.

Lincecum did not allow a hit through five innings, though eventually yielded four hits and two walks while fanning nine in another stellar outing.

The Giants had a bases-loaded opportunity in the fourth, but Mark DeRosa, fresh off the disabled list, grounded into a double play to end the threat.

Kennedy, who gave up four hits and three walks while striking out eight, recorded the first hit against Lincecum with one out in the sixth, then was stranded on second when Upton flied out to right.

"It's tough to lose these type of games," Kennedy said.

Game Notes

Wilson has earned a save or a win in San Francisco's last six victories...Prior to the game, the Giants activated DeRosa and outfielder Andres Torres from the 15-day disabled list and optioned third baseman Ryan Rohlinger and second baseman Emmanuel Burriss to Triple-A Fresno...Game time was a swift 2:29.