Barry Zito allowed five runs on 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings in his start Sunday against the Rockies.

Zito has now failed to win a game in his last five starts. He needed 108 pitches to get through the five-plus innings and continues to struggle on the road this season, where he has an 11.25 ERA. Zito will get a rematch with the Rockies in his next start on Saturday.

Barry Zito allowed eight runs -- five earned -- over 5 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Zito was undone by a six-run first inning that featured six singles and two Giants errors. On the evening, the Blue Jays registered 12 hits against the left-hander. Despite the rough night, Zito has still had a largely positive 2013 thus far. He'll battle the thin air in Colorado in his next start on Sunday.

Barry Zito pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a no-decision versus the Phillies on Wednesday.

Zito left with a two-run lead, but that was blown by Sergio Romo in the ninth. It's the fifth time in seven starts this season that Zito has allowed one or no runs. All five of those starts have come at home, while his two poor performances came on the road. He'll face the Blue Jays in Toronto next time out, so you may want to bench him.

Barry Zito was charged with six runs -- one earned -- in 3 2/3 innings against the Padres on Saturday.

Zito opened with three scoreless innings, but he just couldn't get that third out after an Andres Torres error got the Padres started in the fourth. It's his second positively awful outing of the year, even if it had no effect on his ERA at all. Of course, he's pitched 21 scoreless innings in the other three. We don't know what's next, but those who picked up Zito in mixed leagues should bail now and thank their lucky stars there wasn't more damage tonight.

Barry Zito threw seven scoreless innings in Sunday's win over the Padres.

Zito's 11-game winning streak came to an end last week, but he was able to rebound against a struggling Padres' lineup. The lone criticism is that he only had four strikeouts. Zito will get the Padres again at PETCO in his next start and will be a recommended option in fantasy leagues.

Barry Zito allowed nine runs in 2 2/3 innings Tuesday as the Giants lost to the Brewers.

Things were going so well, too. After two scoreless starts to open the season, Zito couldn't make it out of the third inning Tuesday. He was a batter away from escaping in relatively -- emphasis on relatively -- good shape, but a Yuniesky Betancourt grand slam ended his night prematurely. He should fare better Sunday at home against the Padres.

Barry Zito blanked the Rockies for seven innings and went 2-for-3 at the plate Wednesday in the Giants' 10-0 win.

Javier Lopez and Chad Gaudin finished the shutout. After two starts, Zito has allowed no runs and scored twice. It's anyone's guess how long it will last -- Zito has enjoyed very good Aprils before -- but after last year's postseason, it's getting tougher and tougher to doubt him.

Barry Zito turned in a solid performance in his spring finale on Friday, limiting the Athletics to one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings of work.

Zito also walked three and struck out one in the game. He finishes an impressive spring with a 2.66 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 18/9 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 innings. Though he's still vastly overpaid, the veteran left-hander should again provide value to the Giants with his ability to eat innings. Unfortunately, he has very little value, if any, in most fantasy leagues.

Barry Zito limited the Reds to one run over 3 1/3 innings Wednesday.

He allowed five hits and a walk but struck out three. Zito's heroics last postseason have carried over into a nice showing this spring, as he holds a 3.38 ERA and 6/2 K/BB ratio over eight frames.

Barry Zito allowed no runs on two hits over three innings in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

It was Zito's first spring training start, and he now has a 3.86 ERA through two appearances. Entering the final installment of a seven-year deal, Zito is unlikely to make much of an impact this season. The Giants hold an $18 million option with a $7 million buyout for 2014.

Barry Zito says that he wants to finish his career with the Giants and would be open to a contract extension.

Zito is entering the final season of a seven-year, $126 million deal signed in 2006 and would almost certainly need to accept a "team-friendly" contract to return. The 34-year-old has an underwhelming 4.47 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in six seasons with the Giants and currently holds a vesting option for 2014 if he reaches 200 innings.

Barry Zito was terrific Wednesday, tossing 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in the 8-3 World Series Game 1 win over the Tigers.

The veteran left-hander unexpectedly out-dueled Justin Verlander, who gave up five runs over just four innings. Zito appeared to be well on his way to going deep into the game, allowing just one runner to reach second base through the first five frames, but he got into some trouble in the sixth and manager Bruce Bochy wisely had a quick hook. Tim Lincecum replaced him and struck out five over 2 1/3 perfect innings. Zito has now allowed just the one run to cross the plate over his last 13 1/3 postseason innings. The Giants will turn to Madison Bumgarner in Game 2, with the Tigers countering with Doug Fister.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Tuesday that Barry Zito will start Game 1 of the World Series.

It's not an ideal situation, but the Giants' top two starting pitchers -- Ryan Vogelsong and Matt Cain -- were needed in Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS against the Cardinals. Zito tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings in his lone NLCS start. He'll need a similar brand of magic vs. Detroit.

Barry Zito is expected to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Tigers on Wednesday.

The Giants have yet to make an official announcement, but that's the word around the team. Zito is coming off a tremendous performance in Game 5 of the NLCS where he tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings. Tim Lincecum or Madison Bumgarner are likely to start Game 2, though the Giants could also go with Ryan Vogelsong on short rest.

Barry Zito was dazzling in his victory over the Cardinals in Game 5 of the NLCS on Friday, scattering six hits and a walk over 7 2/3 scoreless innings.

In what has to be considered the most unexpectedly dominant performance of the postseason, Zito delivered his finest performance as a member of the Giants at a time when they needed him the most, facing possible elimination. He was brilliant the entire evening, racking up six strikeouts and tossing 73 of his 115 pitches for strikes. The 34-year-old left-hander now owns an improbable 1.74 ERA and 10/5 K/BB ratio through 10 1/3 innings in the postseason. Should the Giants battle back and advance to the World Series to take on the Tigers, Zito has certainly earned the right to start one of the first two games.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy has named Barry Zito his NLCS Game 5 starter.

That was the indication he had given, but now it's official. Madison Bumgarner will be used in relief for the remainder of the series. "I think we feel it's time to get Madison a little break," Bochy said. Zito allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over just 2 2/3 innings against the Reds in the NLDS.

Barry Zito lasted just 2 2/3 innings but escaped with a no-decision in Wednesday's 8-3 NLDS victory over the Reds.

Zito gave up two runs on four hits and four walks, needing a whopping 76 pitches to cover the 2 2/3 frames. After George Kontos and Jose Mijares combined for three outs, Tim Lincecum came on to toss 4 1/3 innings of one-run relief. If the Giants make it to the NLCS, Lincecum almost surely will take Zito's spot in the rotation.

Barry Zito has been named the Giants' NLDS Game 4 starter.

That's assuming, of course, that the Giants can force a fourth game. The other options were Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, but Lincecum was used for two relief innings in Game 2, and manager Bruce Bochy doesn't want to go to Cain on short rest. The Reds have yet to name a starter for a possible Game 4, but Johnny Cueto (if healthy) and Mat Latos are options.

Barry Zito delivered a strong performance in his final start of the regular season, allowing one run on five hits in a victory over the Dodgers.

Zito piled up six strikeouts in the contest while issuing just one free pass. The only blemish on his evening came on an RBI groundout from Luis Cruz in the second inning. The 34-year-old left-hander finished up his finest season as a member of the Giants with a 15-8 record, 4.12 ERA and 114/70 K/BB ratio over 183 1/3 innings.

Barry Zito improved to 14-8 after allowing three runs in six innings Thursday versus the Diamondbacks.

The Giants have won 10 straight Zito starts, during which time Zito has lowered his ERA from 4.27 all of the way to 4.19. His spot in the postseason rotation is still up in the air, but how can they leave him out when he's a guaranteed victory?