A free-agent prize two offseasons ago, Barry Zito has become the first Giants pitcher to start a season 0-8 since Rod Beck went 0-9 as the San Francisco closer in 1996. It’s true Zito hasn’t pitched well for much of 2008, but he’s allowed three earned runs or fewer his last three times out and six times in nine starts.

The Giants haven’t received their money’s worth from Zito, who hasn’t received his fair share of support from his teammates. They have scored a total of 11 runs when he’s been in the game. No pitcher has received less run support per nine innings pitched.

Lowest Run Support per 9 IP as Starting Pitcher, 2008
(minimum 5 starts)

Barry Zito, SF. . . . . . . . 2.22
Justin Verlander, Det. . .2.29
Paul Byrd, Cle. . . . . . . .2.47
Felix Hernandez, Sea. . .2.67
John Lannan, Was. . . . .2.72
Dustin McGowan, Tor. . 2.81

Although Detroit’s Justin Verlander has received almost as little support as Zito, he has a win. Zito (0-8, 6.25 ERA) and Verlander (1-7, 6.05 ERA) have similar numbers, though, and a case could be made that Zito’s been the better pitcher. Until he worked six innings of a 2-0 loss to Kansas City Wednesday, Verlander’s only quality start of the season came in his only win on April 22.