behind the dugout

Zito avoids 0-8 start, actually has quality start

By john • May 12th, 2008 • Category: barry zito, houston astros, mike martoh, san fransisco giants

I suppose all good things must come to an end some time and that includes the insanity surrounding Barry Zito and his 0-7 start this season. Tonight Zito took a 3-0 lead into the sixth before singles and eventually a Lancer Berkman home run tied up the game.

Zito who signed an 7 year $126 million dollar contract with the San Fransisco Giants with an option for an eight season at $18 million had been relegated to the bullpen following his April 7 start against the Cincinnati Reds only to return to the rotation 11 days later without ever appearing as a reliever.

Zito took a loss in his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates lasting just five innings.

Faced against the Houston Astros who were on a three game win streak and winners of 8 of their last 10 things weren’t’ exactly in Zitos favor.

Add in his opponent on the mound for the Astros was Roy Oswalt and it was easy to envision Zito making a run at the 0-9 start that Mike Maroth got off to in 2003 on his way to losing 21 games. Maroth stood at 0-7 following his seventh start of that 2003 season and his ERA stood at 5.66. He staved off a loss in his eighth start but took losses in his next two outings before finally breaking through for a win against the Chicago White Sox.

Zito entered Monday’s start against the Astros with a 6.95 ERA and unlike Maroth he couldn’t even say he was on a awful team as the Giants have won at a .421 clip while those Tigers who almost set a record for losses in a season finished with a .265 win percentage.