Zito shows Mets what they are missing
NEW YORK (Reuters) - San Francisco Giants left-hander Barry Zito showed the Mets what they were missing on Wednesday, using a tantalizing curveball to stymie New York in a 3-0 victory over the National League's top team.
Zito, a free agent who left Oakland for the Giants who outbid the Mets, gave up six hits and a walk in seven innings of work, and used his big-breaking curveball to register seven strikeouts -- six of them called third strikes.
"The curve ball was good tonight," Zito, who leveled his record at 5-5 with the help of two perfect relief innings from Jack Taschner and Brad Hennessey, told reporters.
It marked the first time this season the Mets (33-18) have been shut out. San Francisco improved to 25-26.
"When it comes out high, their first instinct is to take it," he said. "And then it comes down. That's the ideal plan."
Endy Chavez had one of New York's hits.
"He pitched a great game," Chavez said. "He had a very good combination of pitches today and threw a lot of strikes. You don't see many curveballs like that."
Third baseman Pedro Feliz drove in all three runs and first baseman Rich Aurilia went 4-for-4 to pace the Giants attack.
Tom Glavine (5-3) went seven innings and was thwarted in his quest for his 296th win.
Zito said beating the Mets was not personal, although he enjoyed shutting up fans who taunted him before the game for not signing with New York.
"It's always great coming to New York and getting all these trash talkers who were yelling at me today in the outfield," he said. "I don't want to pitch with any kind of vendetta. For me, it's just about being aggressive and throwing strikes."
Asked if he heard anything inventive from the fans, Zito said: "Not creative at all. Just blatant expletives."
