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Zito goes for third straight win vs. Reds

Aug 29, 2008 - 10:33 AM San Francisco (59-74) at Cincinnati (58-76) 7:10 p.m. EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants' $126 million investment will go for his first three-game win streak of the season when he duels the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

Barry Zito (8-15, 5.31), who struggled to a 2-11 record and a 6.32 ERA in his first 15 starts, has recently shown flashes of the player that signed the most lucrative contract for a pitcher prior to the 2007 season.

The lefthander, who won the 2002 American League Cy Young with the Oakland Athletics, has posted a 4.21 ERA since June 25, going 6-4 in 11 starts. Last time out, the 30-year-old matched a season-high by throwing eight innings, allowing three runs, four hits and three walks while striking out five to earn the win in the Giants' 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on August 23.

The Giants, who concluded a 6-3 homestand with a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, have gone 19-19 since the All-Star break.

Cincinnati counters with phenom Edinson Volquez (15-5, 2.80). The 25-year-old ranks third in the National League in ERA and is tied for second in wins.

The righthander has lost two of his last three starts at home. He lost consecutive decisions, allowing five runs in each outing, before pitching seven scoreless innings in a 7-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 17.

While the Giants have been competitive, the Reds have posted a league-worst 12-16 mark since July 17.

Zito and Volquez matched up against each other on April 27. Zito allowed eight runs in three innings as Volquez cruised to a victory, allowing one run in seven innings in a 10-1 Reds romp.