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Zito tries to regain Cy Young form at Pirates

Apr 14, 2007 - 2:48 PM San Francisco (3-7) at Pittsburgh (4-6), 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants are waiting to see some return on their $136 million offseason investment.

Barry Zito takes the mound Saturday as the Giants visit the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of a three-game series at PNC Park.

Zito (0-2, 8.18 ERA) signed the richest free-agent contract in the history of the game for a pitcher January 2. He was and expected to be not only a stabilizing force at the top of San Francisco's rotation, but a mentor to youngsters like Matt Cain and Noah Lowry.

The lefthander has failed to live up to expectations so far, losing his first two starts and surrendering eight runs in six innings Sunday against rival Los Angeles. The Giants have not helped much offensively, scoring a combined four runs in Zito's two starts.

The former Cy Young winner figures to have more offensive support Saturday, as slugger Barry Bonds has started to get hot. The 42-year-old went 3-for-3 with two homers Friday night, bringing his career total to 737, 18 behind Hank Aaron's all-time record.

Bonds, who began his career with the Pirates, has hit 96 of his homers in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates will attempt to slow Bonds with veteran Tony Armas (0-1, 13.50). The righthander will be making his home debut for Pittsburgh after signing a one-year deal in the offseason.

Armas struggled through his first start, allowing six runs in four innings in a loss at Cincinnati.