Xavier Nady hit a two-run homer to spoil Barry Zito's mostly effective return to the Giants rotation, leading the Pirates to a 3-1 victory Wednesday. Zito started with three scoreless innings. Then Jason Bay singled and Nady hit the first pitch he saw in the fourth into the left-field seats. Zito's pitching line of five innings, three hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts was easily his best of the season. His last time out his line read: eight runs and seven hits allowed in three innings. He was moved into the bullpen after that but never pitched in relief and, essentially, was skipped over for a start in an attempt to get him untracked. (Updated 05/07/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/11/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Zito (0-7), roughed up in each of his first six starts, was far better after spending 10 days working out his problems in the bullpen, yet couldn't beat a pitcher who hadn't won in 17 previous career appearances (Phil Dumatrait). Despite Zito's encouraging start -- he didn't fall behind in the count nearly as much as before and repeatedly had the Pirates out in front of pitches -- he is the first Giants pitcher to lose his first seven decisions since reliever Rod Beck was 0-9 in 1996. But the good news is that he is making progress and could be ready to turn the corner. Zito is still a risky Fantasy option at this time. His next scheduled start is for Monday against the Astros. He is on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18) with his second start coming against the White Sox. (Updated 05/07/2008).
Zito, demoted to the San Francisco Giants bullpen last week, is returning to the starting rotation without having made any relief appearances. (Updated 05/06/2008)
Advice
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that Zito will start Wednesday's game at the Pittsburgh Pirates. Zito, who a year ago signed a $126 million, seven-year contract, was sent to the bullpen last week after a terrible start. The left-hander lost his first six starts and had a 7.53 ERA.
Xavier Nady hit a two-run homer to spoil Barry Zito's mostly effective return to the Giants rotation, leading the Pirates to a 3-1 victory Wednesday. Zito started with three scoreless innings. Then Jason Bay singled and Nady hit the first pitch he saw in the fourth into the left-field seats. Zito's pitching line of five innings, three hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts was easily his best of the season. His last time out his line read: eight runs and seven hits allowed in three innings. He was moved into the bullpen after that but never pitched in relief and, essentially, was skipped over for a start in an attempt to get him untracked. (Updated 05/07/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/11/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Zito (0-7), roughed up in each of his first six starts, was far better after spending 10 days working out his problems in the bullpen, yet couldn't beat a pitcher who hadn't won in 17 previous career appearances (Phil Dumatrait). Despite Zito's encouraging start -- he didn't fall behind in the count nearly as much as before and repeatedly had the Pirates out in front of pitches -- he is the first Giants pitcher to lose his first seven decisions since reliever Rod Beck was 0-9 in 1996. But the good news is that he is making progress and could be ready to turn the corner. Zito is still a risky Fantasy option at this time. His next scheduled start is for Monday against the Astros. He is on track to be a two-start pitcher Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18) with his second start coming against the White Sox. (Updated 05/07/2008).
= probable start
