Here is something for those impossible pessimists to stick in their stockings: Barry Zito has a 1.67 ERA after four starts.
Here is something to temper those optimists: He only has one victory to show for it.
The Giants wasted Zito’s effort in familiar fashion. They made a damaging error in the late innings, they failed to pad a lead with clutch hits and they ended up losing 4-2 to the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday night.
It’s their seventh consecutive loss (and 12th in their last 16 games) at Great American Ball Park. It’s their first series loss since they were swept in three games at Arizona to begin the season.
The Giants need a victory in the series finale to avoid a sweep here and clinch a winning road trip.
