• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Zito outduels Peavy as Giants blank Padres

Aug 3, 2008 - 5:49 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Barry Zito outdueled a fellow Cy Young Award winner and the San Francisco Giants mounted just enough offense to support him in a 2-0 triumph over the San Diego Padres on Saturday in the second of a three-game series.

Zito (6-13) turned in his longest outing of the season, tossing eight scoreless innings - his longest outing of the season - to pick up his third win in his last five starts. The 30-year-old lefthander, who took home the American League Cy Young Award in 2002, struck out five and walked four batters.

Brian Wilson worked a scoreless ninth to post his 21st consecutive save - and 30th in 32 chances - to secure the win for the Giants, who have won all four games between the two teams at Petco Park this season.

"It was a good feeling to behave the way I want to behave out there on the mound, being relaxed and nice and easy," Zito said. "I just tried to do what I do and the results will stack up as they will. I went out there tonight and I was the guy that I've always been."

"Barry gave us just what we needed," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "This guy can pitch, and we know it. He showed how good he can be tonight."

San Francisco finally broke through in the seventh inning against San Diego starter and reigning National League Cy Young winner Jake Peavy.

Fred Lewis singled and stole second base before coming home on a single by Bengie Molina to snap a scoreless tie and gave San Francisco a 1-0 lead.

"That was huge, because you could tell both (starting pitchers) were on," Bochy said. "That's what you want to do is get a lead there, and Bengie just got enough of it to get it through. He's so clutch."

Peavy (8-7) allowed just one run on five hits over seven innings in suffering a loss to San Francisco for the first time since September 8, 2006. The 26-year-old righthander struck out seven and did not issue a walk in improving his ERA to 2.59, taking over the National League lead from Arizona's Dan Haren.

"I don't know what to say but it's as frustrating as it gets," Peavy said. "We just have to play batter. Everybody has to play better, myself included."

San Diego loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth - its only legitimate scoring threat of the night - but Zito got Kevin Kouzmanoff on a routine flyout to keep the Padres off the scoreboard.

"(Zito) threw the ball well," Padres manager Bud Black said. "I've seen him do that throughout his career. He had three pitches working tonight. I thought the change was very good. It was a good game by Jake (too). You can't ask for much more."

Emmanuel Burriss singled home Rich Aurilia in the ninth against Cla Meredith to give the Giants an insurance run and a 2-0 advantage.

Brian Giles had two of the three hits or the Padres, who were shut out for the seventh time this season.

"That's the best (Zito) thrown against us in a long time," Giles said. "It's a combination of him throwing well and us not swinging the bats."