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Zito trying to avoid longest losing streak of career

Jun 26, 2007 - 1:16 PM San Diego (42-33) at San Francisco (33-42) 10:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - Barry Zito takes the mound on Tuesday looking to avoid the longest losing streak of his career, as the San Francisco Giants continue their three-game series with the San Diego Padres.

For the most part, Zito (6-8, 4.83 ERA) has not lived up to his enormous seven-year $126 million contract he received in the offseason.

The former Cy Young Award winner has lost three straight starts, allowing 27 runs over his last 13 1/3 innings. The losing streak comes after he won three straight starts in which he gave up just two runs over 20 innings.

In his last start, Zito allowed six runs and five hits in a season-low tying four frames against Milwaukee on Wednesday.

San Francisco won the opener on Monday thanks to a walk-off single by Pedro Feliz in the 11th inning. The Giants have won three in a row following an eight-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, their National League West rival Padres are headed in the opposite direction.

David Wells (3-5,4.71) takes the mound for San Diego, which has lost five of six. Wells has gone winless longer than Zito, and is coming off a loss to Baltimore on Thursday in which he allowed three runs - two earned - and a season high-tying 10 hits.

The 44-year-old has not won since he beat Washington on June 3, losing two straight starts and receiving a no-decision in another.