Bochy weighing options for Zito

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Zito's struggles with the Giants have reached a new level of urgency.

After Zito gave up eight runs in the Giants' 10-1 loss to the Reds on Sunday, manager Bruce Bochy said the team's brass was going to consider other options for Zito, including skipping his next turn or sending him to the bullpen.

"We have to do something different," Bochy said. "There's no getting around that. We can't keep doing what we're doing."

Zito said his preference would be to remain in the rotation and take his next scheduled turn, which would be on Friday at Philadelphia, but he understood the team's position.

"I brought it on myself," he said. "It's not like they are acting rash in a situation that wouldn't call for it. Whatever they want to do, I'll go along with."

Zito is 0-6 with a 7.53 earned-run average. He has lost six decisions in a row for the first time in his career, and he became the first Giants pitcher since 1994 to lose six consecutive starts.

He is the first pitcher in San Francisco history to lose his first six starts of the season.

"He can pitch, and right now he's going through as tough a period as he can go through," Bochy said. "As a player that's a lot to handle. He probably has never dealt with this before. He's going to have to handle this and fight through it."

The Giants were already down a starter because of Kevin Correia's oblique injury, suffered on Saturday night. But off days on Thursday and next Monday provide a break in the schedule in which the Giants could get by with only four starters.

Pat Misch, who came up to take Correia's roster spot, pitched the final six innings in relief of Zito on Sunday. Misch could take Zito's place in the rotation next weekend, allowing Zito some extra time.

The next time the Giants would need a fifth starter is May 10. In the meantime, Zito could pitch out of the bullpen -- most likely in a blowout game -- or he could just do extra work on the side.

Zito's problem is simple -- he's not putting the ball where he wants it. Finding the cause or the solution is not so easy.

"We've talked about mechanics and he's worked on things," Bochy said. "If it was that easy to fix, it would have been fixed. The only thing he can do is keep going out there, whether starting or we decide to skip him or put him in the bullpen, he's so important for us to get him straight."

Zito said his confidence is somewhat shaken, but he is still optimistic than he can find himself.

"I know what I can do," he said. "I know what I've done in the past. These are the things you have inside you. Throwing in the towel and giving up is not part of who I am . . .

"I'm not going out there knocking down any doors looking for a solution. The solution is inside of me. It's up to me to get it straightened out. No one can tell me a magic key that is going to turn it around."

Randy Winn, who faced Zito when he was at his best in the American League, said he is confident that Zito can rediscover his form.

"People talk about velocity this or velocity that, but velocity does not equal wins," Winn said. "Executing and locating your pitches does. I've seen him do it. I know he can. We believe in him. Once he gets that feeling back and starts locating his pitches and attacking hitters, he'll be the pitcher we all know he can be."

Winn said it hasn't helped Zito that the Giants have played so poorly in support of him. They scored only one run against Reds rookie Edinson Volquez. In five of Zito's six starts, the Giants have scored a total of four runs.

The defense also let him down in the first inning. After the Reds loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and a softly hit ground ball single, Brandon Phillips hit a popup behind second base. Winn, playing right field, said he should have called off second baseman Eugenio Velez, but he didn't. Velez botched the play and the ball dropped for a single.

"That was my mistake," Winn said. "If I call that ball . . . that changes the complexion of the game."

Winn's mea culpa aside, Zito was hit hard following the mistake. Joey Votto, Ryan Freel and Paul Bako all lined base hits, giving the Reds a 6-0 lead before the Giants came to bat.

NOTES

Correia will be out about a month with a strained left intercostal muscle. Although similar oblique injuries typically sideline pitchers for at least a month, Correia said he felt better on Sunday and he was optimistic that he could get back sooner.

Aaron Rowand was hit in the ribs with a pitch in the third inning. X-rays revealed no further damage to Rowand's ribs. He had been playing with a fracture since the first week of the season. He said he expects to be in the lineup again today.

Catcher Bengie Molina missed a second consecutive game because of sore legs. Molina, who missed time in spring training with a quad injury, is expected to play today.

John Bowker is in a 1-for-18 slump. Bochy said Bowker will get the day off today.

Contact Staff Writer Jeff Fletcher at 521-5489 or jeff.fletcher@pressdemocrat.com.