News
Zito strives for quality against Rockies
San Francisco (11-11) vs. Colorado (9-13), 1:05 p.m. PT
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
05/02/09 7:57 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- Matt Cain couldn't continue his success Saturday. But Barry Zito still has a chance to sustain his. Cain, who had recorded quality starts (appearances of at least six innings with three earned runs or fewer allowed) in each of his first four outings, surrendered five runs in six innings as the Giants lost to Colorado, 5-1. In Sunday's series finale, Zito will attempt to extend his streak of back-to-back quality starts, both of which have come at AT&T Park. On April 22 against San Diego, Zito recaptured the form that earned him the 2002 American League Cy Young Award with Oakland, as he worked seven innings in a 1-0 Giants victory. Last Monday against the Dodgers, Zito extended his scoreless-inning streak to 13 while yielding three singles in six innings. Casey Blake's two-run homer in the seventh inning shattered Zito's spell, but the Giants still prevailed, 5-4. These performances nearly halved Zito's ERA from 10.00 to 5.24. More significantly, he began reversing his trend at home, where he compiled a 7-16 record with a 5.12 ERA in his first two Giants seasons. Previously, Zito's longest scoreless streak at AT&T Park was 11 innings, spanning a pair of starts April 21-May 2, 2007. Zito has contributed to the overall excellence of the San Francisco rotation at home, where he, Cain, Tim Lincecum, Randy Johnson and Jonathan Sanchez have fashioned a 2.33 ERA. Pitching matchupSF: LHP Barry Zito (0-2, 5.24 ERA)
Zito's rigorous offseason conditioning program and improved concentration seem to have helped him, as his fastball has approached 90 mph -- a sufficient complement to his offspeed pitches -- and he has avoided telltale lapses. For example, he retired the leadoff batter six times in seven innings in his most recent start last Monday night against the Dodgers. Zito has fared relatively well against the Rockies, posting a 2-2 record with a 2.57 ERA in seven lifetime starts. COL: RHP Jason Hammel (0-0, 5.59 ERA)
In his first start of the season, Hammel had an effective fastball and breaking ball for nearly three innings against the Padres on Monday. But he gave up a two-run triple with two down in the third, and wound up giving up five runs -- four earned -- in three innings. Hammel threw 78 pitches, 45 for strikes. The right-hander had competed for a rotation spot with the Rays before being traded to the Rockies just before the season started, and he had pitched in relief until Monday. Hammel admitted fatiguing, but he should have more stamina for his next start. Tidbits
The Giants didn't need closer Brian Wilson on Saturday, but that may have been just as well. The right-hander had appeared in five of San Francisco's previous six games and recorded four-out saves in the past two. "We don't have any days off coming up, so we're going to have to lighten his load," said manager Bruce Bochy, whose club has only three scheduled off-days (May 18, May 28 and June 1) through June 17. Had the Giants found themselves in a closing situation, Bochy would have sought the best possible matchups he could create with the remaining members of the bullpen. ... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only two other pitchers as old as Johnson, 45, have pitched games in which they held opponents scoreless with nine or more strikeouts. Florida's Charlie Hough struck out nine in nine innings in 1994 against St. Louis, and the St. Louis Browns' Satchel Paige struck out nine in 12 innings in 1952 against Detroit. Both were 46. Johnson blanked Colorado for seven innings while striking out nine on Friday. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• CSN-BA On radio
• KNBR 680, KIQI (Español) Up next
• Monday: Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 1-1, 2.60) at Cubs (Ryan Dempster, 1-1, 5.40), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Giants (Tim Lincecum, 2-1, 3.16) at Cubs (Sean Marshall, 0-1, 3.32), 11:20 a.m. PT
• Wednesday: Giants (Randy Johnson, 2-2, 4.50) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez, 1-4, 6.58), 5:40 p.m. PT
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
