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Giants LHP Zito looks to avoid 0-8 start

May 12, 2008 - 1:12 PM Houston (21-17) at San Francisco (16-22) 10:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - Barry Zito takes the hill once again in search of his first win of the season.

Zito will try to guide the San Francisco Giants to their third straight victory when they host the Houston Astros in the opener of a four-game series on Monday.

In his first start since the Giants recalled him from the bullpen, the 30-year-old Zito (0-7, 6.95 ERA) allowed two runs and five hits with five strikeouts in a 3-1 setback at Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

"It was time to refocus," Zito said. "I think it helped me in that aspect. I felt good out there and I'm excited to get back out there in five days."

The former American League Cy Young Award winner has some success against Houston, yielding one run and four hits in seven innings in his last start in the series on May 23.

Roy Oswalt (3-3, 5.33) takes the ball for the Astros, who enter after a weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Last time out, Oswalt gave up three runs and six hits with season-best nine strikeouts over seven frames, but was unable to register a decision in Houston's 4-3 win over Washington.

The hard-throwing righthander hasn't fared well against the Giants, posting a 2-5 record with a 4.07 ERA in 10 career starts.