Zito's Return Ruined by Nady's Homer

Xavier Nady hit a two-run homer to spoil Barry Zito's mostly effective return to the Giants rotation and Pittsburgh's Phil Dumatrait pitched 5 2-3 scoreless innings for his first career win, leading the Pirates to a 3-1 victory Wednesday night. Zito's pitching line of five innings, three hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts was easily his best of the season.

Zito (0-7), roughed up in each of his first six starts, was far better after spending 10 days working out his problems in the bullpen, yet couldn't beat a pitcher who hadn't won in 17 previous career appearances. Zito, at least temporarily the most expensive reliever in the majors only two seasons into his $126 million, seven-year contract, started with three scoreless innings. (More baseball stories.)