tradebarryzito.com

Friday May 8th - Barry Zito is pitching like a Cy Young right now, and I never thought that sentence would be said again (non sarcastically that is). Zito pitched another absolute gem against the Mannyless Dodgers and the Giants offense actually stepped up and got him the win!

Not only did Zito beat the Dodgers, but he out pitched Chad Billingsley to give him his first loss of the season. This was an exciting game to watch, as none of us really expected the Giants to beat the Dodgers with a Zito/Billingsley matchup.

Even though I run a website that is trying to trade this guitar playing hippy, I have to admit it when he impresses me. In the 5th inning, with the bases loaded and Brandon Medders completing his warm ups to come into the game to clean up Zito’s mess, Bochy made the long slow walk out to the pitchers mound. Zito greeted him with a glove over his mouth to cover up the conversation, while the gates to the bullpen opened up to let Medders onto the field. Zito never backed down, and argued for his chance to finish this inning and stay in the game. You could see the fire in his eyes, and that he wanted it.

Bochy gave him the shot and Zito delivered. I was extremely impressed with Zito’s actions.

The Giants were able to round up 3 runs for the 3-1 victory despite not having an extra base hit. Renteria and Sandoval both knocked runs in during the 7th inning using the small ball tactics we are becoming known for. Just imagine if we could pick up a power hitter…

Zito’s next start is Wednesday May 13th against the Washington Nationals.

Sunday, May 3rd - Barry Zito had his best outing as Giant on Sunday going seven very strong innings. He only allowed two hits struck out four and the Giants beat the Rockies 1-0 in 10 innings.

Over the last three games, Barry has now given up a total of only three runs (and that was only in one inning against the Dodgers (yes the inning with the Balk)). So that is 19 scoreless innings out of the last 20.1. That’s dealing.

He also has lowered his ERA to a decent 3.99. The first time he has been under 4 in his career, for fucking ever, for a long time now at least.

Unfortunately the Giants couldn’t do shit offensively, getting dominated by Jason Hammel. Hammel threw six innings of scoreless ball and left after only 79 innings. Pulling a young pitcher after 79 pitches in a scoreless ball makes as much sense as pinch hitting Molina in the 7th for Fred Lewis in a double play situation.

Seriously Bochy what the fuck were you thinking. Ok here is the situation in case you missed the game.

Emmanuel Burriss doubles down the line to start off the bottom of the 7th. Steve Holm then grounds into a FC to the new pitcher Grilll and he makes an attempt at Burriss at 3rd but throws it away. So we have runners on the corners with no outs. Randy Winn then pinch hits for Zito and strikes out. So now we have a runner on third still, and Holm (a Catcher) on first with Fred Lewis up who has been peppering the ball all game.

Bochy sits Lewis for Molina who had the day off. So now we take out a guy who is hitting well, and needs more experience in this situation, for our most clutch hitter, that is a guaranteed double play if he hits it on the ground. So we have Catcher speed on first, and at the plate we have Molina who would lose a foot race against Jabba the Hut. Lewis only had 5 GDIP’s last year against Molina’s 23!

I don’t think I have to tell you what happened next, but I will. Bengie grounded out into a fucking inning ending double play.

Luckily the useless old man Rich Aurilla (the only happiness he brings to me, is when the stadium announcer calls out his name pre at-bat)got a game winning single in the 10th.

Zito didn’t get the win and is still looking for his first win of the season, but he is definitely starting the “is Zito back?” talks. I am happy to see him pitch well, and hopefully we get a couple more of these before the wheels fall off.

I have been looking for this video since the night of the game last week, but finally found it! It was on Sportscenters Not Top 10.

Go to 1:05 in.