Ross disappointed with Bay Area debut

SAN FRANCISCO -- It wasn't the perfect homecoming for right-hander Joe Ross, who was the losing pitcher in a 5-0 loss to the Giants on Sunday afternoon.

With his family and friends in the stands, the Bay Area native was in the zone during the first three innings, striking out six batters. But he decided he couldn't pitch the same way to the Giants and made, as he put it, adjustments in the fourth inning and was touched for three runs.

Hunter Pence highlighted the scoring with a two-run homer. Pence hit a hanging slider and then Ross had problems with his command and didn't retire a batter in the fifth inning.

"I made some adjustments through the second time of the lineup," Ross said. "I made a few mistake pitches they capitalized on. Things added up in that one inning."

Although Ross picked up his fifth loss of the season, his father, Willie Ross, was proud to see Joe make his first Major League start in the Bay Area. Joe is the second family member to pitch at AT&T Park. Older brother Tyson, who plays for the Padres, had the honor of being the first.

"It's always great to see my boys. Joe had a big contingent of friends here, so it's wonderful," Willie proudly said. "He has good stuff, he believes in his stuff. I'm sure he was amped up because he had high school friends and family out here. It's right across the bay where he went to school."