Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008

Bay teams get in win column

Giants' Zito handcuffs Braves

ATLANTA -- Barry Zito has a new approach to pitching: Stay in the moment, and stop forcing things.

Whatever he's doing worked Monday. Zito won for the third time since the All-Star break, leading the San Francisco Giants over the Atlanta Braves 5-0.

"I got caught up with trying to make things happen," he said. "You can't do that. Hitters make things happen."

Zito (7-15) allowed five hits in seven innings, combining with Keiichi Yabu and Sergio Romo on a seven-hitter.

"I had some pitches working," he said. "My off-speed stuff was pretty good. I made a couple of good pitches to lefties."

The major-league leader in losses, Zito has won 18 of 58 starts since signing a $126 million, seven-year contract with San Francisco before the 2007 season.

He improved to 97-5 in his career when receiving four or more runs of support, including 12-1 with the Giants. San Francisco has scored no more than one run in 24 of his starts.

"There's no question that he's pitching with so much more confidence than he did earlier this year," manager Bruce Bochy said.

Aaron Rowand homered and drove in two runs for the Giants.