Six shutout innings and just two hits allowed Wednesday for Barry Zito, who didn't figure in the decision, as the Giants pulled-out a 1-0 win over the Reds. Since the All-Star Break, Zito has been dealing, posting a 2.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and with three wins prior to tonight's start. In the other recent games he has either lost or didn't get the decision - Zito has kept the Giants in almost every game he's pitched since that July 12th disaster against San Diego. While Lincecum and Cain haven't quite been their usual, outstanding selves in recent starts; Zito, Sanchez, and even Joe Martinez have helped turn things around on this road trip. The Giants are now 4-and-2 on the trip, and looking for the sweep Thursday.
All arms on deck for this weekend's four-game showdown in Colorado, and the bullpen appears to be returning to form just in time. Zito was cruising along Wednesday, matching zeroes with Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo, but was pulled in favor of a pinch-hitter with two on and two out in the 7th-inning. Zito had only thrown 77 pitches, but Manager Bruce Bochy had another hunch. The same decision proved to be a game changer Monday against the Mets, when Bochy pulled Joe Martinez, and inserted pinch-hitter Nate Schierholtz with the bases loaded. Schierholtz proceeded to line a double high off the right field wall scoring two runs, and helping put the game out of reach. Wednesday's decision however didn't work out quite as well when "Fresno Freddy" (Fred Lewis) popped out weekly to second base to end the threat. Fortunately for the Giants, Schierholtz came through again -- this time in the starting line-up -- with two hits, including an RBI double, plating Edgar Renteria with the game's only run in the 8th-inning. I just don't understand why Lewis was the choice in that situation with Freddy Sanchez, Travis Ishikawa, and Pablo Sandoval all available on the bench.
When Zito was pulled and the Giants didn't score, the bull pen kept the game scoreless. Sergio Romo is back after a brief stumble, striking-out the side in the 7th, and getting the first two outs in the 8th. Jeremy Affeldt finished off Lance Nix with a nasty curve-ball for a called strike three in the 8th, and Brian Wilson slammed the door with two more strike-outs in the 9th to record his 30th save.
Although San Francisco plated just one run, they did collect 10 hits, including two each for Renteria, Scheirholtz, Rowand, Garko, and Uribe. Ryan Garko has pumped his average to .242 as a Giant, with four hits and four RBI's in the last two games. Aaron Rowand has boosted his batting average back to a respectable .275.
It's an early one Thursday with Matt Cain back on the hill. It's really unfortunate that he's taken some heat for accidentally hitting the Mets' David Wright in the head last Saturday. Wright, who was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday, may not return the rest of the season due to post-concussion symptoms.
