OAKLAND -- Facing the A's has helped Giants right-hander Sam Dyson recover his effectiveness.
Between June 20 and July 10, Dyson yielded runs in five of his 10 outings; his ERA in that stretch was 6.30.
Then, the Giants began their home-and-home series against the A's.
Accustomed to making one-inning appearances, Dyson pitched two shutout innings against the A's on July 13, blanked Oakland for another inning on July 15 and worked two scoreless innings in Saturday's 4-3, 11-inning loss to the A's.
Dyson entered Saturday's game with the bases loaded, two runs already having come across in the frame and the A's leading, 3-1. They seemed poised to widen their lead substantially, but Dyson coaxed Mark Canha's into a double play to blunt Oakland's momentum.
"Great job," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who added that he was unlikely to use Dyson in Sunday's series finale. "Sammy came in a role that's a little earlier than what he's accustomed to. We needed some help there and got the big double play to keep it within range. Then he goes out and gives us another inning. ... I thought he did a real nice job of holding them at bay to give us a chance to come back."
Worth noting
• Right-hander Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) threw off a bullpen mound, setting up the inevitable medical evaluation. The Giants remain hopeful that Samardzija will be fit to start Wednesday at Seattle.
• Third baseman Evan Longoria (fractured left hand) was slated to rest Monday along with the Giants' Triple-A Sacramento affiliate. That's followed by a seven-game homestand for the River Cats.

• Second baseman Joe Panik (left groin) has begun running sprints and around the basepaths to test his injury.