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Zito, red-hot Giants face Diamondbacks

Apr 27, 2007 - 2:52 PM San Francisco (12-8) at Arizona (12-11) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Barry Zito looks to be settling into the other side of the bay - and his massive new contract.

Zito will look to keep his scoreless innings streak alive as the San Francisco Giants seek their ninth straight win when they face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

In two awful outings to start the season, Zito (2-2, 3.70 ERA) allowed 11 runs - 10 earned - and 13 hits in 11 innings in two losses to open the campaign. But the lefthander has bounced back, tossing 13 1/3 scoreless innings to post wins in his last two starts.

The former American League Cy Young Award winner had not notched two consecutive scoreless starts since blanking Minnesota and Seattle in 2002 en route to the award that season. That is exactly what he was supposed to do in San Francisco, which brought Zito across the bay from the Oakland Athletics, signing him to a seven-year, $126 million contract as a free agent.

The Giants swept the Diamondbacks at AT&T Park last weekend, which is part of their current winning streak. It is San Francisco's longest run since reeling off 10 in a row from May 20-31, 2004.

On Thursday, the Giants rallied for a 5-4 win at Los Angeles. Ray Durham doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.

Zito will be opposed by Doug Davis (1-2, 3.27), who allowed four runs - two earned - and seven hits in six innings against San Francisco last Friday - his lone outing against the Giants in his career.

Arizona won two of three vs. San Diego this week, including a 7-4 victory on Thursday. Tony Clark hit a pair of home runs and Livan Hernandez pitched seven strong innings.