Giants Turn It Around to Defeat Dodgers, 3-0 : Baseball: Brantley gets the start, Swift gets the save and Los Angeles gets only five hits.

The San Francisco Giants already are looking ahead to next season. So with only a few weeks left this year, it’s time to try new things.

On Saturday, Jeff Brantley and Bill Swift switched roles and stopped the Dodgers on five hits at Candlestick Park, 3-0.

Brantley (5-7), making his second start of the season and the fourth of his major league career, went six innings. He gave up four hits, struck out four and walked one.

Brantley has made both of his starts this year against the Dodgers. He has given up one run in 10 innings.

Swift, moved to the bullpen because of shoulder problems, pitched three innings for his first save of the season. He lowered his earned-run average from 2.12 to 2.08.

Swift pitched in 71 games last year for Seattle, all in relief. He got off to a fast start as a starter this season, including a victory over the Dodgers on opening day, then injured his shoulder. He has made four relief appearances this season, giving up one run in 11 innings.

“Swift is phenomenal out of the bullpen,” Giant Manager Roger Craig said. “My thought now is to keep him in the bullpen next season. Obviously he’s pretty good at it.

“And Brantley has been outstanding in his two starts. He has a chance to use all of his pitches now. I think he could be an excellent starter.”

Brantley won for the first time as a major league starter.

“It really doesn’t matter, I could do both,” Brantley said. “If you’re starting, one run doesn’t kill you.”

Swift said he does not mind returning to the role he held in Seattle.

“The shoulder feels a lot better when I’m not throwing a lot of innings,” Swift said. “I think relieving will prolong my career, especially if the shoulder keeps acting up when I start.”

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda was impressed by the converted Giants.

“Brantley pitched extremely well,” Lasorda said. “You never know what will happen when you switch a guy from one role to another, but Brantley has pitched well against us and Swift is just a very good pitcher.”

The Giants ended a four-game losing streak, and stayed five games ahead of the Dodgers in an effort to avoid finishing last in the National League West. Swift helped with his bat, too, getting a run-scoring double in the eighth inning.

San Francisco scored in the first inning against Bob Ojeda (6-9) when Darren Lewis beat out a bunt single with one out, stole second and scored on Chris James’ two-out single.

The Giants added a run in the seventh on singles by Matt Williams, Steve Hosey and Royce Clayton.

Brantley had two runners on base in only the third inning. Ojeda singled with one out and was forced on Jose Offerman’s grounder. After Brett Butler walked, rookie Tom Goodwin flied out.