RSS
Home
Barry Zito pitches shutout ball as San Francisco Giants beat Florida Marlins
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito pitched 8.1 innings of shutout ball against the Florida
Marlins on July 7, 2009. (William Mancebo/Tri-City Voice)
SAN FRANCISCO---From the moment Barry Zito signed his seven-year contract, the magnifying glass never left its perch above the San Francisco Giants pitcher.
Tonight, in the Giants 3-0 win over the Florida Marlins, Zito showed the grit and skill that many expected even before the ink dried on that infamous contract.
In each of his last 15 starts (including tonight’s), Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson allowed only three or less runs. Fortunately for San Francisco, Zito tossed 8.1 innings of four-hit shutout ball and Sergio Romo closed the game out, striking out two and earning his first career save in the process.
San Francisco was able to manufacture a run in the fourth inning, but in the next inning, the Giants second baseman Juan Uribe provided some insurance runs when he blasted a two-run homer to the left field bleachers.
Zito entered the game with the lowest run support in the Majors. Despite good outings, the lack of runs by the Giants has been overshadowing the left-hander.
“He did a great job. The curve ball was working, the slider, the changeup—everything was working,” Giants catcher Bengie Molina said of Zito. “He’s been pitching great. We just can’t score for him.”
With the shutout, the runs were enough for Zito to earn the win. Although he felt fine entering the ninth, the moment a baserunner got on base, Giants manager Bruce Bochy replaced him with Romo.
“He [Zito] was throwing at one hitter at a time,” Bochy said. “He had done too good of a job to leave him out there, I was going to give him a shot at it, but once the runner got on, Romo was in the game.”
Zito understood Bochy’s decision, but was visibly upset about not being able to pitch his first complete-game shutout since 2003.
“I said I felt better in the last two than I did in the middle innings, but I haven’t quite earned the right to get out of my own jams late,” Zito said. “There’ve been a lot of games this year that—one run, no runs—going in the sixth or seventh and the lead got away. It’s something I got to earn back—the respect—to do that.”
In the ninth innings, as Bochy made his way to the mound to make the pitching change, fans in AT&T Park began to boo—this time to express the desire to have Zito stay in the game instead of the other way around.
“Barry should feel good,” Bochy said about the crowds’ boos. “It’s nice getting booed when you are taking him out—that’s a good thing.”
This start and fan reaction provided Zito with more confidence and additional motivation to continue his recent success.
“I’ve had a lot more challenges than I could have predicted here, but it’s just another win,” said Zito. “It’s about finishing what you start. It was good to be out there in the ninth for the first time in a long time and I want to do that more often.”
A reflective and humble Zito seemed determined to show fans and critics alike that he’s ready to put all the negativity to rest. For the 31-year-old, his performance was just a preview of better things to come.
“I got four years left on this deal after this,” Zito said. “I want more than anything to let my potential come through and show—let myself know, more importantly than others, that I’m still capable of throwing up effective outings.”
Up next: The Giants go for a three-game sweep of the Marlins on July 8 at 12:45pm. RHP Chris Volstad (5-8, 4.85) takes the mound for Florida as RHP Ryan Sadowski (2-0, 0.00) makes his third start for San Francisco.
For more on the SF Giants: SF Giants Examiner, Theo Fightmaster
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
