Pirates 3, Giants 1: Two runs in five innings doesn't a quality start make, but Barry Zito showed a flash -- perhaps a tease -- of promise tonight. What was different? First, Pittsburgh is a good offensive club, and seven baserunners in five innings isn't bad. It's not like he was pitching against the Giants. Or the Padres. Second, he got key strikeouts when he needed them: Nady in the first with two on, two out. Bautista in the third, one out, man on second. That's new.
But not all was encouraging. He got lucky with two line drives that turned into double plays, and he threw 99 pitches in five innings. The high pitch count meant the Pirates didn't get to see him a third time, except for their top three batters, and they went ground out, walk, liner into double play. I was interested to see how comfortable Pittsburgh would get the third time around.
I didn't watch and only caught a few innings on the radio, so I didn't get a good feel for the game. Give me your reports. Did Zito labor? Did his stuff look sharp? Were hitters off-balance?
PLODAG: Bengie Big Money Molina, with two hits and the only RBI.
The Upside: Daniel Ortmeier, with a pinch-hit double. Most people say his ceiling is fourth outfielder/pinch-hitter, and since he's converted to all-righty hitting he's done quite well in that role, batting 9-for-26 with 5 doubles and 4 walks. Quietly he's raised his OBP to .370. A fourth OF who gets on base a lot, has doubles power, is fast, and can fill in at first base? I'll take that any day.
