In a start that could be seen as a make-or-break moment for the San Francisco Giants Barry Zito the Cincinnati Reds' offense were once again all over the Black and Orange, rocking Zito early and often throughout the game, eventually clinching the series sweep with a 9-0 drubbing at the Great American Ballpark on Sunday.
Zito (L 3-4) gave up three early runs in the first inning, setting the tone for another shaky start by the former Cy Young winner. After all the dust settled the Reds roughed up Zito for five earned runs on eight hits in five innings of work along with two walks and four strikeouts; not exactly a huge vote of confidence for the Giants management or even Zito himself for that matter.The bullpen didn't fare much better as Guillermo Mota gave up a three run jack to Joey Votto in the seventh, his 17th of the season, while Javy Lopez gave up a Yonder Alonso RBI single in the eighth.
Obviously the Giants offense didn't do much today as Aaron Rowand, Jeff Keppinger and Carlos Beltran were the only players to get a hit today at all, while Beltran broke a 0-11 streak he had going since his RBI single i nthe first game of the series. Orlando Cabrera went 0-3 with a strikeout in his Giant debut.
Johnny Cueto (W 7-4) was filthy good for the Reds today pitching a complete game shutout with only one walk and six strikeouts along the way.
With the loss the Giants move to 61-47 on the year. Full box score can be found here.