May 23
Zito (3-2) was rocked for eight runs (four earned) in just three innings Wednesday against the Brewers. He allowed five hits, walked four and struck out three.
Recommendation: After a six-run first inning, manager Bruce Bochy left him in and he gave up another pair before getting the hook. Not a pretty picture for Zito, whose decent 3.53 ERA is certainly not reflective of his horrible 31:25 K:BB. A continued reversal of fortune is likely in the cards.
May 21
LHP Barry Zito hasn't often been in position to complain about getting pulled from a start, considering his not-so-successful history with the Giants. But Friday, he had a grip. The Giants were ahead of the A's 6-3 in the sixth when manager Bruce Bochy gave him the hook. Zito walked off the mound visibly upset with the decision, which came after 105 pitches. The Giants won 8-6. "I want the ball," Zito said. "I was more upset at myself for not slamming the door." Bochy admitted it might not have been a good idea to remove Zito, saying, "He wanted to stay out there and get out of it. He's a competitor. Looking back, I probably should've let left him out there. I just thought he was getting the ball up a little bit."
May 19
Zito has settled in to his new scene and outdid his old Oakland team this time, and was backed by Brandon Belt's three RBIs in the San Francisco Giants' 8-6 victory over the Athletics in the Bay Bridge Series opener Friday night.
Advice: Zito matched his season high with five strikeouts in 5 1-3 innings and also drew a bases-loaded walk in the Giants' four-run third inning. He is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA.
