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Zito sharp as Giants blank Marlins

Aug 18, 2007 - 4:08 AM By Chris Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) - Barry Zito allowed just one hit in seven innings as the San Francisco Giants posted a 3-0 victory over the Florida Marlins on Friday.

The only hit off of Zito was a Cody Ross double in the fourth inning as he turned in his best outing of the year. The lefthander struck out eight and walked two.

Rookie Rajai Davis hit his first career home run, a two-run shot in the seventh inning to give the Giants a 3-0 lead after Zito reached base on a fielding error by Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla.

"I am not going to treat it like it is going to be the only one," said Davis, who was traded to San Francisco from Pittsburgh on July 31. "I want to treat it like it is the first of many."

Zito (9-11) now has a 2.92 ERA in August after posting a dreadful 7.82 ERA in July. He lowered his season ERA to 4.88, which is still higher than any other year in his career.

"I have got seven or eight starts left so there is definitely still some time to be myself," Zito said.

Zito has received plenty of scrutiny for his season after signing a $126 million contact in the offseason and not living up to expectations.

"It's got to be tough to be in his position with the expectations and he has had to deal with a lot of adversity and answer questions, but he has handled it great," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

Florida's Hanley Ramirez, the National League's leading hitter, had his 13-game hitting streak snapped. He went 0-for-3 and his averaged dropped to .341.

"He is a great hitter, obviously he is doing special things this year," Zito said. "You just have to mix (your pitches) on guys like that. There's really no set pattern."

Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth before Brad Hennessey picked up his 10th save in 12 chances for the Giants.

Barry Bonds, who hit his 759th career home run on Thursday, finished 1-for-3 with a walk. His lone hit was a single to right field in the fourth inning.

The slugger received more cheers than boos in South Florida and acknowledged them by tipping his helmet to the crowd just before stepping into the batter's box in his first at-bat. Bonds grounded out to first base in his first at-bat.

"There's no reason not to challenge him," said Marlins starter Scott Olsen. "He's a hitter just like everyone else. You can't be passive. You've got to be aggressive and go after guys."

Bonds singled with one out in the fourth inning, but was thrown out at third base by Josh Willingham as he tried to advance an extra base on a single by Bengie Molina. Pedro Feliz hit a double to left field to drive home Molina, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead.

Bonds struck out swinging in the seventh inning ending his night as Dave Roberts replaced him in left field in the bottom of the inning.

Olsen (9-10) took the loss for the Marlins, pitching seven innings and yielding three runs, two earned. He struck out six and walked three.