D'Backs 5, Giants 4: Freddie Lewis did all he could to boost the Giants, but the rest of the team coughed this one up. Culprit #1 was Barry Zito, who optimists said only needed a little run support to relax and pitch well. Urp. Up 3-0 after the top of the second, Zito proceeded to pitch like he couldn't handle the pressure of having a lead. He was awful. It was painful to watch. It's not the velocity, it's the cookies. I've never seen so many balls left right out over the heart of the plate. Actually, I have; it was when I was on the mound a few years ago in my team's playoff game, and... I don't want to talk about it.
If this pattern continues, I predict the Giants do something drastic with Zito by June. No way they can let this guy pitch BP every fifth day ad nauseum. Pride will be swallowed: a bullpen assignment, a phantom injury and "rehab" stint in the minors, something.
Don't think the Giants lineup gets off scot-free. They had Brandon Webb on the ropes and couldn't land the big one. Give some credit to Webb, but the Giants could have, should have had at least five on the board by the fifth inning. I don't think that would have helped Zito much, unfortunately.
PLODAG: Tyler Walker, with a perfect 8th and three Ks. Always nice to see the Big Sweaty in top form. He's one of my favorite stories this year, especially with all the abuse he took from Giants fans when he was the emergency closer a couple years ago. Sorry to be cold, but he could be a valuable trading chip this summer.
The Upside: FreddieLoo!
