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Zito, Aurilia lead Giants past Padres

Aug 24, 2008 - 12:23 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Barry Zito achieved several firsts in his start against the San Diego Padres on Saturday.

The much-maligned lefthander pitched eight strong innings and helped himself with an RBI single as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Padres, 4-3, for their season high-tying fourth consecutive victory.

"The first few innings, I was definitely in a good tempo, and the key is to stay in that regardless of what's happening around me," Zito said. "It's staying on my approach every pitch, every inning. For me to stay on my approach every pitch is the key. In the past, when I got away from my approach, I never found my way back."

Zito (8-15) worked at least seven innings in consecutive starts for the first time this season and collected wins in back-to-back outings for the first time in 2008. He also drove in his first run of the season.

"Solid outing, great job," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "Eight innings, that's what you like from your starter, a quality start. He pitched well after a great start in his last one, and a well-deserved win for him. He pitched well, he stayed out of the big inning and had good stuff today."

Zito allowed three runs, four hits and three walks while striking out five. Brian Wilson came on to toss a scoreless ninth and record his National League-leading 34th save of the season.

Zito also helped himself with a two-out RBI single in the fourth inning that put San Francisco ahead, 3-2. But San Diego came back to tie the game with a two-out, run-scoring double by Chase Headley in the sixth.

"Terrible, ugly," Zito said of his swing on his base hit. "I was just trying to put it in play. I'm going to work on my hitting in the offseason. I definitely want to be a little more of a threat up there."

Rich Aurilia snapped the 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with a two-out triple to right-center field that scored Pablo Sandoval, who reached on a fielder's choice against Mike Adams (1-2).

"At that point, you need an extra-base hit, a clutch hit, and Richie came through for us," Bochy said. "He's had a history of doing that, and he did it today. He's dangerous and he's a guy you like up there with the game on the line."

The game marked the major league debut of San Diego's Dirk Hayhurst, who had his contract purchased prior to the game. The righthander went four innings and allowed three runs, five hits and two walks, striking out two while throwing 49 of his 76 pitches for strikes.

"I struggled with my nerves. That's probably the best way to put it," Hayhurst said. "It was amazing, it was nerve-wracking, it was inspiring. It's the culmination of every dream. After things started playing out, I realized this is still baseball."

The Giants scored twice in the first inning against Hayhurst. Dave Roberts drew a leadoff walk and stole second and went to third on Ivan Ochoa's bunt single before scoring on a grounder by Randy Winn, who came home on Aaron Rowand's double into the left field corner.

"(Hayhurst) had a pretty good breaking ball. I think he's going to throw strikes," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He hung in there. First and third, no outs, he got a ground ball. Zito's soft liner kind of got him. I could see why some of our minor league people were on this guy."

San Diego tied it in the fourth inning, taking advantage of a leadoff walk to Adrian Gonzalez. Jody Gerut drove in the Padres' first run with a one-out triple to right-center field and Headley's sacrifice fly knotted the contest at 2-2.