Either Cleveland was not hitting yesterday or Barry Zito is returning to his old Cy Young caliber form. The former ace reminded his critics yesterday that he can still pitch after defeating the Indians 4-1 and putting them on the edge of a sweep.
Zito received some unusual run support early in the game when the Giants jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, it was more than he would need, being in the drivers seat until he would leave the game. He limited the Indians to just one run on four hits over six and two-thirds innings pitched while striking out four. It looks as if his control might be back since he managed not to walk anybody, but did hit a batter. Zito left the game with runners on base and Keiichi Yabu taking over for him. Yabu was brought in to face one batter, but was unsuccessful, giving up a single that would bring in a run for Cleveland. Jack Taschner would finish off the inning and handle a batter in the eighth inning before Tyler Walker would get the last two outs. Both relievers were perfect in facing their two hitters. Closer Brian Wilson earned his twenty-first save of the season, allowing a harmless single in the ninth inning; it was his second save of the series.
After playing a key part in Tuesday night’s victory, Jose Castillo was back at it again. He was three-for-five, just a triple shy of the cycle while scoring two runs. Half of the runs for San Francisco came in the first inning, but Castillo would hit a solo homer in the third inning to extend the Giants lead to 3-0. First baseman John Bowker added a homerun in the eighth inning off Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt to regain a three-run advantage. Catcher Bengie Molina also had a multi-hit day, going two-for-four with two singles, he would also reach base on a walk.
Matt Cain will try to complete the sweep tomorrow night at 4:05 p.m. Standing in his way will be rejuvenated lefty Cliff Lee who is 10-1 this year after having a disappointing 2007 season. It has been a low-scoring series so far and tomorrow’s matchup should suggest the same for the series finale.
