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Misch, Giants aim to slow surging Phillies

May 2, 2008 - 1:38 PM San Francisco (13-16) at Philadelphia (16-13) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - Pat Misch, not Barry Zito, will have the unenviable task of slowing the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies on Friday as the San Francisco Giants begin a six-game road trip through the Keystone State.

The struggling Zito was demoted to the bullpen after allowing eight runs and seven hits in three innings of a 10-1 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.

Misch (0-0, 3.00), who was called up from Class AAA Fresno on Sunday, will start in place of Zito. The lefthander relieved Zito last Sunday and allowed two runs in six innings.

The 26-year-old Misch will face a Phillies team that has won six of eight and leads the majors with 42 home runs.

Ryan Howard, who is hitting just .172 (17-for-99), blasted a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning to lead the Phillies to a 3-2 victory over San Diego on Thursday.

Philadelphia hands the ball to 23-year-old righthander Kyle Kendrick (2-2, 5.13). Kendrick allowed four runs - three earned - and seven hits in seven innings of a 8-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday.