From The Associated Press

OAKLAND — Matt Morris has pitched so well after San Francisco losses that he’s earning a reputation for being the stopper.

Morris commanded the plate with all his pitches and worked efficiently on a day San Francisco sure needed a big outing from its starter, pitching a two-hitter with a season-high nine strikeouts in the Giants’ 4-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Morris — following back-to-back losses by ace Barry Zito and No. 2 starter Matt Cain — was helped by stellar defense, solo home runs from Randy Winn and Rich Aurilia and Dan Ortmeier’s career-high three hits.

“He seems to be the guy who’s stepped up and done it most consistently so far,” Aurilia said of Morris, who will get an extra day off before taking the mound again.

Morris matched his career-low for hits in his 21st career complete game and first since Aug. 25 last year against the Cincinnati Reds.

He didn’t allow a hit until Dan Johnson’s one-out double to center in the fourth. He retired the first nine Oakland hitters in order before Travis Buck reached on Aurilia’s throwing error at first to start the fourth.

“This was something we needed today and I’m glad I was able to do it,” Morris said.

The A’s missed a chance for their first three-game sweep of the year, taking two of three in the first interleague installment of the Bay Bridge Series. The teams play in June in San Francisco.

“We’re not capable of throwing six or seven games together right now,” A’s third baseman Eric Chavez said. “Once we get healthy, we’ll be able to do that. We’ll pull it together.”