Barry Zito took a step back from his gradual return to success as the Chicago Cubs went on a 9-2 rout of the Giants. Two runs scored in the bottom of the ninth inning broke up the shutout, but still did not help San Francisco much.
Zito was tagged for five runs (four earned) on six hits in five innings of work. After looking as if he had regained his control in his last outing, Zito walked five batters while managing to strikeout six. Keiichi Yabu relieved Zito in the sixth inning and pitched two scoreless innings after being knocked around a bit in his previous appearances. Billy Sadler pitched the eighth inning and gave up a grand slam to Mark DeRosa (his second homerun of the night), many of the additional runs scored came thanks to walks. In total, the Giants pitching staff allowed nine baserunners to reach on walks! Alex Hinshaw struck out three hitters in the ninth inning before the Giants scored their two runs of the game in the last frame of the game.
The Giants offense was limited tonight, managing to finally score in the ninth inning while putting together eight hits throughout the game. Randy Winn and pinch-hitter John Bowker scored both of the runs on a Rich Aurilia double after Ted Lilly turned the game over to Kerry Wood. Centerfielder Aaron Rowand had the other Giants extra-base hit, another double.
The second game of the series will be played Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m. Matt Cain has had a disappointing year so far and needs to pitch like he once did with the Giants just six games back of Arizona for the division lead. Jason Marquis is scheduled to start for the Cubs.
