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Phillips, Reds pound struggling Zito

Apr 28, 2008 - 12:41 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - Edinson Volquez struck out a career-high 10 in seven innings and Brandon Phillips homered twice to lead the Cincinnati Reds to 10-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

The Reds wasted little time scoring as they jumped all over struggling Giants starter Barry Zito in the first inning.

Cincinnati sent 10 batters to plate in the opening frame, scoring six runs on five hits and two walks. Phillips, Joey Votto, Ryan Freel and Paul Bako all had run-scoring hits.

"We haven't really jumped anyone like that in a long time early in the game," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "That's what we've been trying to do, especially on the road when you get first at-bat. You want to jump them early. Zito helped us. He wasn't sharp. He wasn't the Zito I've seen many, many times.

It marked the sixth time in six starts this season that Zito (0-6) has allowed at least four runs. He allowed eight runs, seven hits, walked three and struck out in a season-low three innings.

While Zito's troubles continued, Volquez (4-0) maintained his early-season dominance as he surrendered five hits, one run and walked three while lowering his ERA to 1.23.

"When you get some runs early, you feel like this is your day," Volquez said. "You just go out there and do what you can do."

"Volquez was pretty dominant today and that's what we needed," catcher Bako said. "His fastball and his changeup were his best two pitches. They were both really good."

Volquez's only difficulty came in the third inning when he allowed an RBI single to Randy Winn.

"When he got in trouble that one time (third inning), he reached back," Baker said. "He's got some dynamite stuff. He could have gone farther in the game, but with the score what it was there, we have a couple guys in the bullpen that needed some work."

Phillips, who homered in the seventh and ninth inning off Giants reliever Patrick Misch, also scored three runs and had three RBI to lead the Reds' 12-hit attack.

Misch, who was called up from Class AAA Fresno prior to the game, relieved Zito and allowed two runs and five hits in six innings.

Todd Coffey and Kent Mercker each pitched a scoreless inning of relief as they combined with Volquez to limit the Giants to six hits.

Meanwhile, the Giants and manager Bruce Bochy continue to search for answers that will turn Zito's fortunes around.

"We're going to get together," Bochy said. "We have to do something different. There's no getting around that. We can't keep doing what we're doing. It comes down to command. He started off with a walk. You're asking for trouble there. He's having a tough time getting the ball where he wants to - where he needs to."