In Progress: Giants, Athletics Locked In Pitcher’s Duel

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Gio Gonzalez was spectacular on the mound, giving up two hits in a career-high eight innings of work, as the Oakland Athletics edged the San Francisco Giants, 1-0, in a pitchers' duel at Oakland Coliseum.

Gonzalez (5-3) fanned five batters and walked one to win his second straight start. The left-hander has yet to pitch a complete game in his career. Andrew Bailey picked up his seventh save.

Coco Crisp drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for the Athletics, who won 6-1 in the opener of this three-game interleague series. Oakland improved to 8-2 in one-run games, which is the best mark in the majors.

Matt Cain (2-4) went the distance in defeat, allowing one unearned run on five hits in eight innings to take the hard-luck loss for the Giants, who have dropped four in a row. The hard-throwing right-hander also struck out four and walked one in his third straight loss.

San Francisco's best chance to score came in the second. With one down, Aubrey Huff walked, and Andres Torres followed with a single. Gonzalez, though, retired Matt Downs and John Bowker to end the inning.

The A's scored the only run they would need in the third. Adam Rosales was hit by a pitch, and Cliff Pennington reached base on first baseman Huff's fielding error. Rajai Davis moved the runners up to second and third with a sacrifice bunt, and Crisp lifted a sacrifice fly to left. Daric Barton struck out to end the frame.

Gonzalez retired the final 20 batters that he faced. Bailey came on in the ninth to close things out. Edgar Renteria reached base on an infield single with one out, and Pablo Sandoval walked to put men on first and second with two outs. Bengie Molina, though, went down swinging to end the game.

The Giants reinstated shortstop Renteria from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game. The club also optioned third baseman Ryan Rohlinger to Triple-A Fresno...San Francisco outfielder Nate Schierholtz (right shoulder) and infielder Juan Uribe (left hamstring) were not in the starting lineup. Both played entered the game in a reserve role...Sandoval's seven-game hitting streak came to an end...The A's have gone a season-high five straight games without a homer...Cain fell to 2-5 lifetime against Oakland.